MUMBAI: Actor Imran Khan has challenged administrative notices seeking the cancellation of his Overseas Citizen of India

MUMBAI — Actor Imran Khan has challenged administrative notices seeking the cancellation of his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status and directing him to leave the country following his participation in an anti-CEC demonstration in Mumbai last month.

The case brings into focus the legal boundaries governing foreign nationals participating in domestic political demonstrations in India, intersecting immigration enforcement, police proceedings, and judicial oversight by the Bombay High Court.

The legal scrutiny stems from an October 10 demonstration organized by Tushar Gandhi of the organization Hum Bharat Ke Log at August Kranti Maidan. Following the protest, Mumbai Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) for unlawful assembly against multiple individuals, including Khan, alleging his presence at the site.

Subsequent enforcement actions followed swiftly. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) served an initial notice on October 14 directing Khan, a US passport holder, to exit India under provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act of 2025. This was followed by an October 17 show-cause notice giving him a 15-day window ending November 1 to respond to potential OCI cancellation grounds.

In his October 22 reply to the authorities, Khan contended that a Mumbai Police report cited by the FRRO was incomplete and demanded detailed evidence supporting the allegations. Khan further stated that Mumbai police had not attempted to record his statement regarding the FIR registered against him.

Meanwhile, the legal battle shifted to the judiciary. The Bombay High Court intervened on October 27, putting the Leave India notice in abeyance after the Union Government requested a brief adjournment to allow Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to represent the Centre.

The Bombay High Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 2, as judicial review continues over the administrative notices issued to the actor.