Imran Khan to challenge FRRO deportation notice in Bombay High Court
Synopsis
Bollywood actor Imran Khan is taking the government to court — his lawyers are preparing a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court to challenge an FRRO order directing him to leave India by October 28, after he joined protests at August Kranti Maidan demanding the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has simultaneously sought a Look Out Circular to prevent him from travelling abroad.
Key Takeaways
Imran Khan has been ordered by the FRRO to leave India by 28 October 2026 over his alleged participation in the August Kranti Maidan protest on 10 October .
The FRRO cited violations of Sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act , noting Khan holds an OCI card and is not an Indian citizen.
Khan is reportedly preparing a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court , with MZM Legal LLP engaged as counsel.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya wrote to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on 13 October seeking a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Khan.
Khan was detained by Mumbai Police on 10 October in connection with the protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
Bollywood actor Imran Khan is set to move the Bombay High Court to challenge a notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) directing him to leave India by 28 October 2026. The notice, served days after his participation in protests at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai on 10 October, cites alleged violations of the Immigration and Foreigners Act on the grounds that Khan, as an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholder and not a full Indian citizen, was not entitled to take part in the political demonstration.
Background: The August Kranti Maidan Protest
The protest in question was held at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on 10 October, where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Khan was among the participants and was detained by the police on 10 October in connection with the demonstration. Following the detention, the FRRO initiated action against him under Sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, which regulate the conduct and stay of foreign nationals and OCI cardholders in India.
Legal Challenge: Writ Petition in the Works
According to reports, Khan is considering filing a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court to contest the FRRO order. He has engaged MZM Legal LLP as his counsel for the purpose. Zulfiqar Memon, the managing partner of MZM Legal LLP, declined to comment on the matter when approached. The legal challenge, if filed, would test the boundaries of OCI cardholders' rights to participate in civic and political demonstrations on Indian soil.
BJP Leader Seeks Look Out Circular Against Khan
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya approached the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and immigration authorities on 13 October, urging them to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Khan. In a letter addressed to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Somaiya requested that Khan be barred from leaving India until an inquiry into his complaint and an ongoing Mumbai Police case are concluded. Somaiya also asked the Bureau of Immigration to notify police should Khan attempt to travel abroad.
What the FRRO Order Says
The FRRO's order alleges that Khan violated the Foreigners Act by participating in a political protest, noting that OCI cardholders are subject to restrictions that prohibit participation in political activities in India. The actor has reportedly received a copy of the notice. This marks one of the more high-profile enforcement actions under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, the legislation Somaiya invoked in his letter to the Home Ministry.
What Happens Next
With the 28 October departure deadline approaching and a potential Writ Petition in the pipeline, the matter is likely to be heard in the Bombay High Court in the coming days. The case has drawn attention to the legal status of OCI cardholders in India and the extent to which they may engage in political expression. Somaiya's request for an LOC adds a further layer, creating the possibility that Khan could face travel restrictions even before any court hearing concludes.
Point of View
2025, and specifically of how far OCI cardholders' civic rights extend. The FRRO's invocation of provisions against Imran Khan for attending a political rally sets a precedent that could affect millions of OCI holders who travel to India regularly and consider themselves deeply tied to the country. The simultaneous push for a Look Out Circular by a BJP MP before any court has ruled raises due-process questions. If the Bombay High Court agrees to hear the petition, the judgment could either clarify or further complicate the legal ambiguity around what political participation means for OCI cardholders under Indian law.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Imran Khan been ordered to leave India?
The FRRO has directed Imran Khan to leave India by 28 October 2026, alleging he violated the Immigration and Foreigners Act by participating in a political protest at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai on 10 October. As an OCI cardholder rather than a full Indian citizen, he is reportedly barred from political activities in India.
What legal action is Imran Khan taking against the FRRO notice?
Khan is reportedly planning to file a Writ Petition in the Bombay High Court to challenge the FRRO deportation notice. He has engaged law firm MZM Legal LLP as his counsel, though the firm's managing partner Zulfiqar Memon declined to comment at this stage.
What is a Look Out Circular and why has one been sought against Khan?
A Look Out Circular (LOC) is an immigration alert that flags a person at airports and border checkpoints, preventing them from leaving India. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya sought an LOC against Khan on 13 October in a letter to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, asking that Khan be held in India until a police case and an inquiry into Somaiya's complaint are completed.
What was the August Kranti Maidan protest about?
The protest held on 10 October at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Imran Khan was among the participants and was detained by Mumbai Police the same day in connection with the demonstration.
What are the legal provisions invoked against Imran Khan?
Action has been taken against Khan under Sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, which govern the conduct and activities of foreign nationals and OCI cardholders in India. The FRRO's order alleges his participation in a political protest contravened these provisions.
