Actor Imran Khan's partner, Lekha Washington, has spoken out for the first time after the actor — nephew of superstar Aamir Khan — was officially asked to leave India by 28 October 2026, following his participation in a protest in Mumbai. The development marks a sharp escalation in the legal and immigration proceedings against the actor.

The Notice and What Triggered It

On 15 October, the Mumbai Police issued a formal notice to Imran Khan directing him to depart India by 28 October. The notice follows his participation in a protest in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Imran had earlier been detained by police on 10 October in connection with the same protest.

Action has been initiated against him under Sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, on the grounds that he allegedly participated in the protest despite not holding Indian citizenship. The actor has confirmed receipt of the notice.

Lekha Washington's Response

After the departure order was issued, Lekha Washington shared a photograph of herself and Imran together inside a prison van, taken at the time of their detention on 10 October. She captioned the image simply: 'Just,' accompanied by a series of heart emojis — a terse but pointed response that quickly drew attention online.

Legal Challenge in the Works

Imran Khan is now reportedly preparing to challenge the notice in court. According to reports, the actor is considering filing a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court against the notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). He has engaged law firm MZM Legal LLP as his counsel, with Zulfiqar Memon, the firm's managing partner, named as the lead attorney. Memon declined to comment on the matter at this stage.

BJP's Intervention

On 13 October, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and immigration authorities, urging them to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Imran Khan. Somaiya's intervention underlines the political dimensions of the controversy surrounding the actor's protest participation.

Who Is Imran Khan?

Imran Khan first appeared on screen as a child artist in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992). He made his adult debut in 2008 with the romantic comedy Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, a commercial success. He went on to feature in a string of hit romantic comedies — I Hate Luv Storys, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu — and the action comedy Delhi Belly, before a series of box-office disappointments led to a prolonged hiatus. He recently made a cameo appearance in Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos, starring Vir Das, marking his return to the screen nearly a decade after Katti Batti (2015).

With a Bombay High Court petition expected to be filed shortly, the case is set to test the limits of free speech and immigration law as it applies to foreign nationals participating in domestic political protests in India.