Bombay High Court extends stay on Leave India notice for actor Imran Khan
The court directed the US citizen to provide an unconditional apology and an undertaking to refrain from future protests.
The Bombay High Court on Monday extended the suspension of a notice directing US citizen and actor Imran Khan to leave India. The court allowed the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder to remain in the country while the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) considers his response to the notice.
According to reports from The Hindu, The Pioneer, and Odisha Bytes, a division Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna directed Khan to offer an unconditional apology and submit a formal undertaking that he will not join any future agitations or influence others to do so.
The legal matter stems from Khan's detention by Mumbai Police on October 10 near August Kranti Maidan. He was protesting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The FRRO had issued the notice on October 14, instructing Khan to depart by October 28. This followed an FIR alleging he violated immigration rules by participating in a political demonstration, according to Odisha Bytes.
During the hearing, the Bench noted that OCI cardholders do not possess the same rights as Indian citizens. Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Khan, argued the actor was only present at the site due to curiosity and had no link to the organisers.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, representing the Centre, disputed this, alleging Khan instigated people through social media and interviews. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on December 7.