Actor Imran Khan gets relief from deportation notice until November 2

The Bombay High Court has granted temporary relief to actor Imran Khan in connection with a notice directing him to leave India by October 28.

The government has assured the court that no action will be taken against him until November 2, the next date of hearing.

Khan, a US citizen who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, challenged the notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The notice followed allegations that he participated in a protest in Mumbai on October 10.

The protest was organised in solidarity with a demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi. It demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had filed a police complaint alleging that Khan's participation violated rules applicable to American citizens. The complaint was forwarded to the FRRO, which issued the notice under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

Khan approached the High Court on October 17, claiming he had not participated in any gathering and had no links to the protest organisers. He described the notice as "illegal, arbitrary, perverse and drastic". He also received a show-cause notice asking why his OCI status should not be revoked.

During Tuesday's hearing, Khan's counsel, Venkatesh Dhond, highlighted the October 28 deadline. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh then assured the court that no coercive steps would be taken.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna scheduled the next hearing for November 2.

Khan, his partner Lekha Washington and his cousin Zayne Marie Khan were briefly detained after participating in the protest at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan.

He later shared a picture from inside a police van, writing, "Apparently, I'm going for a drive."

At the protest, Khan said, "I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people's voices being suppressed? That is why I am here,"