Imran Khan can stay in India for now after unconditional apology: Bombay High Court

Actor Imran Khan has been granted temporary relief from deportation by the Bombay High Court on Monday. Khan, a US citizen with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, told the court he would offer an "unconditional apology" for his alleged involvement in a demonstration against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The court's ruling indicates that OCI cardholders must comply with Indian laws and cannot expect the same rights as Indian citizens. The Bombay High Court has suspended the Leave India Notice issued to Khan by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) until December 7. The case originated on October 10 when Mumbai Police briefly detained Khan near August Kranti Maidan during a youth-led protest demanding the resignation of the chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya subsequently filed a police complaint, arguing that Khan, as a foreign national, had violated immigration rules by participating in the political demonstration. Khan challenged the FRRO's order in the High Court on October 17, contending that the notice was arbitrary, unconstitutional, and disproportionate.

He maintained that he did not organize or join the protest, but merely left when police asked him to. Khan argued that his OCI status should not be revoked, as he has lived in India for nearly four decades, and the FRRO's actions were taken without providing him a chance to explain himself. The outcome of the case remains uncertain with the next hearing scheduled for December 7.