Imran Khan apologises to Bombay HC, vows not to join future protests
Following the apology, the court extended its stay on the FRRO's ‘Leave India Notice’ and posted the actor's plea for further hearing on December 7
The Bombay High Court on Monday pulled up actor Imran Khan, a US citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, for participating in a protest over the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue. The court said the fundamental right to protest is available only to Indian citizens, following which the actor tendered an unconditional apology.
Khan, who holds US citizenship and an OCI card, was among those detained. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya subsequently filed a police complaint alleging that the actor had violated immigration rules by participating in a political demonstration as a foreign national.
‘Unconditional apology’
A bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna observed that OCI cardholders cannot claim the same rights as Indian citizens and are “at the mercy of the country”. It also said India's magnanimity was evident in the fact that Khan had been issued a notice asking him to leave the country rather than being deported immediately.
Also read: Bombay HC stays FRRO notice directing actor Imran Khan to leave India
Khan's counsel, Venkatesh Dhond, promptly tendered an unconditional apology and gave an undertaking that the actor would not participate in any protest in the future.
The bench posted Khan's plea challenging the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) notice for further hearing on December 7. The notice had directed him to leave the country by October 28 for participating in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR issue in Mumbai last month. The court also extended its earlier order keeping the notice in abeyance until the next hearing.
Background
The controversy began on October 10, when Mumbai Police briefly detained Khan during a protest near August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. The demonstration called for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Following the complaint and an FIR forwarded by the police, the FRRO issued a 'Leave India Notice' on October 14, directing Khan to leave the country by October 28 under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Also read: Actor Imran Khan challenges 'leave India' notice in Bombay High Court
Khan approached the Bombay High Court on October 17, challenging the notice as arbitrary, unconstitutional and disproportionate. He argued that he had neither organised nor participated in the protest, and was merely present near the venue before leaving when asked to do so by the police.
(With Agency inputs)