Imran Khan ordered to leave India after protest
Bbc · 2 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Indian authorities have ordered Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave the country by 28 October after he took part in a protest in Mumbai on 10 October. Khan is a US citizen and holds an Overseas Citizen of India, or OCI, card, which allows people of Indian origin to visit and stay in India but does not give voting or election rights. Police said the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office issued the notice after concluding he had violated the law by joining the agitation. Khan's lawyer said he would challenge the order in the Bombay High Court and argued that OCI rules do not bar him from participating in a protest
Key Points
- Mumbai police said Khan joined an agitation at August Kranti Maidan demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- He was briefly detained by police on 10 October, and later posted a photo from what appeared to be a police van.
- Local media cited by SCMP said Indian law can treat foreigners' participation in political protests as a breach of immigration or visa rules
- The protest was described by the BBC as part of a wider Gen Z-led movement seeking electoral reforms and alleging vote fraud
- Khan, 43, is known for Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and is returning to acting this year with the Netflix film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum.
Why It Matters
The case sits at the intersection of celebrity influence, immigration status and political participation, showing how even high-profile OCI holders can face legal consequences for joining protests in India. For Hong Kong readers, it is a reminder that residency or heritage-based travel status may still carry strict limits on political activity in another jurisdiction.