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The Foreigners Regional Registration Office served Imran Khan with a notice alleging he violated the Foreigners Act by taking part in a political demonstration despite holding American citizenship, Mumbai police reported. The 43-year-old, who also possesses Overseas Citizen of India status, was one of more than 400 people detained during the event at August Kranti Maidan. Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint that prompted the action after he learned of the actor’s involvement. A police official stated that foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests or activities on Indian soil under relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act.
Khan joined the Cockroach Janta Party gathering that called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down over a voter roll revision exercise, according to multiple accounts from those present. He was briefly taken into custody alongside his partner Lekha Washington and cousin Zayn Marie Khan before being released later that day. During the demonstration the actor told reporters he had no specific demands and was present as someone who lives in the city to highlight concerns about restricted freedom of movement and suppressed voices. Khan later posted on Instagram a photo from inside the police van with the caption “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
The Mumbai protest formed part of a wider youth-led push that has included similar demonstrations in Delhi, The Indian Express reported. Opposition parties have questioned the Special Intensive Revision that removed around 130 million voter entries, claiming it disproportionately affects certain demographics in ways that could benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The Election Commission has rejected those accusations and described the process as a standard effort to eliminate duplicates and ineligible names from the rolls. An FIR was registered at Gamdevi police station under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to unlawful assembly and disobeying orders.
Khan, nephew of superstar Aamir Khan, was born in the United States and moved to India at age three before later studying in Los Angeles, Reuters noted in its coverage. He enjoyed success in several hit films between 2008 and 2015 before stepping away from acting for more than a decade and had been preparing a comeback with new projects. The departure notice has raised questions about how it might affect those plans and the life he has built in Mumbai, where he maintains a residence in the Khar area. His legal team has indicated the order will be challenged in the Bombay High Court.
Somaiya, whose complaint triggered the FRRO review, told The Indian Express that the case should serve as an example to deter foreign-funded efforts aimed at creating unrest, though he provided no specific evidence for such claims. Police forwarded the matter to immigration authorities after receiving his letter urging action against the actor for breaching OCI conditions and visa rules. The development underscores restrictions placed on non-citizens even those with OCI cards when it comes to political activities, a point reiterated in statements from both the police and the complainant. Khan had not publicly commented on the exit notice as of October 15.
