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Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday kept in abeyance until November 2 a notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) directing actor Imran Khan, a US citizen, to leave India by October 28.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna adjourned the hearing on Khan’s petition challenging the notice. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh gave an oral assurance that no coercive action would be taken against the actor before the next hearing.
Khan’s counsel, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, had pointed out that the departure notice required his client to leave the country by October 28 and sought protection from any action until the petition could be heard.
The court subsequently ordered that the challenged notice would remain in abeyance until November 2.
Notice Issued After Protest Attendance
According to the information presented in the case, the FRRO issued the departure notice after Khan attended a demonstration in Mumbai held in solidarity with protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The demonstration took place at August Kranti Maidan on October 10. Khan was reportedly detained briefly during the event.
The protest was linked to demonstrations organised by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Actor Challenges Notice in Court
In his petition, Khan denied participating in the gathering and said he had no association with the organisations or individuals responsible for organising the protest.
He challenged the notice as illegal and arbitrary, arguing that the authorities had not adequately considered his position before directing him to leave India.
The petition also sought the quashing of the notice, a stay on its implementation while the case remained pending, and protection against coercive action.
Khan had approached the High Court on October 17. He also received a separate show-cause notice from the FRRO seeking an explanation as to why his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status should not be revoked.
Immigration Law Provisions Cited
According to the supplied report, the authorities invoked provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, including Sections 7(2)(C) and 29, in connection with the departure direction.
These provisions concern government powers to regulate the presence of foreign nationals in India and direct their removal in circumstances covered by the law.
The notice reportedly warned that deportation procedures could be initiated if Khan failed to leave India by the specified deadline.
Next Hearing on November 2
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 2, when it is expected to consider Khan’s challenge to the notice.
The order keeping the notice in abeyance provides interim relief until that date. The court has not yet issued a final ruling on the validity of the notice or the separate proceedings concerning his OCI status.
