Actor Imran Khan has received temporary relief from the Bombay High Court after it put on hold the notice directing him to leave India by October 28. The court’s order will remain in abeyance until November 2, with the Centre assuring the court that no coercive action will be taken against him in the interim. The actor had challenged the notice through a writ petition.
Imran Khan’s leave India notice on hold
As per an update in Bar and Bench, the Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed that an October 14 notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), directing actor Imran Khan to leave India by October 28 (tomorrow), be kept on hold until November 2.
The Additional Solicitor General (ASG), representing the Centre, also assured the court that no coercive action would be taken against Khan until then. “Lordship may keep it on Monday,” the ASG said.
“But I have to leave tomorrow (according to the FRRO directive),” replied Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Khan.
“(The court) may keep it on Monday. Nothing will happen. That is an oral assurance,” the ASG added. The court, in turn, agreed to adjourn the case and added that the FRRO’s order be kept on hold until then. “ASG seeks time. Matter stands over to November 2 at 3 pm. The order under challenge shall be kept in abeyance until the next date,” the court said.
About Imran Khan’s controversy
On October 15, Imran was issued a notice by the Mumbai Police asking him to leave India by October 28, days after he participated in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Action has been taken against Imran under Sections 7 and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, and the actor has received a copy of the notice. The actor was detained by the police on October 10 in connection with the protest, along with his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, and niece, Zayn Marie. Khan was detained along with 400 others at August Kranti Maidan while participating in the CJP protest and also shared updates.
The action has been taken against Imran under the relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act for allegedly participating in such a protest despite not being an Indian citizen. After the notice was issued, Imran took the legal route and filed a writ petition challenging it.
