Imran Khan challenges ‘leave India’ notice: ‘No reasons disclosed, no chance to respond’

Mumbai's Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has issued a show-cause notice to Bollywood actor Imran Khan, demanding an explanation for the cancellation of his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. Khan has been granted 15 days to respond to the notice, after which the FRRO will decide on its cancellation.

Earlier, Khan approached the Bombay High Court, seeking an urgent stay on the FRRO's order for him to leave India by October 28. The petition, filed by attorneys Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon, and Chirag Naik, is set to be heard soon.

In his petition, Khan seeks to quash the notice directing him to leave India before the stipulated date, arguing that the FRRO did not provide specific grounds for the alleged violation. He contends that the authorities failed to consider his status as an OCI cardholder, as well as the rights associated with it.

Khan's legal team argues that the notice does not specify which legal provision he allegedly violated and does not explain how and when the violation supposedly occurred. The petition also claims that the protest site, August Kranti Maidan, was not a restricted area and that OCI cardholders are not prohibited from participating in such demonstrations.

Furthermore, the legal team asserts that CCTV footage would prove that Khan did not breach any barricades and was leaving the protest site when media personnel surrounded him. Khan claims he was detained by Mumbai Police during the incident. The FRRO notice was issued following Khan's participation in a protest at August Kranti Maidan, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.