Mumbai Police on Thursday directed Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave India by October 28 this year, days after he took part in a protest helmed by the pressure group, Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in the country’s financial capital. The police action came amid allegations that Khan, who holds a citizenship of the United States (US), breached provisions pertaining to the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders by undertaking a political stir.
As per the notice issued by Mumbai Police, action has been initiated against the actor under the relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Notably, Khan is the nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, and is not an Indian citizen. Officials said he holds an OCI card.
Actor Imran Khan
Why has Khan been asked to leave India?
Police officials aware of the development said action was taken against Khan over his participation in the protest despite his non-Indian citizenship. In the notice, the cops invoked Section 7 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, under which, the Union government can issue directives regulating or restricting the entry, departure, presence and movement of foreign nationals in the country.
The incident gained more steam after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya approached the Mumbai Police and alleged that Khan should face action for participating in what he called ‘an illegal political agitation.’ Somaiya further accused Khan of violating the OCI-related provisions and visa norms.
Actor was detained during Oct 10 protest
A demonstration had been staged at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10 this year against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, and Khan joined the stir. His partner, actor Lekha Washington, and his cousin Zayne Marie Khan were also present alongside him during the agitation.
The trio was detained by Mumbai cops and was released later. During the incident, Khan shared a picture of himself sitting inside a police vehicle on social media, and captioned it, “Apparently I'm going for a drive.”
Videos of the incident also began making rounds online. In one clip, Khan was heard saying Jai Hind to the cops. In another footage, he expressed confusion over his detention, saying that demonstrators had been picked up from the streets and had been asked to sit inside police vans.
Khan further claimed that the detainees were driven around for close to two hours and were released later.
“I’m here as a citizen of Mumbai”: Khan
A snap from Imran Khan's detention
Addressing media representatives during the agitation, the actor said he had attended the stir as a resident of Mumbai rather than to press specific demands.
He said, “I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city,” questioning restrictions on freedom of movement and the alleged suppression of people’s voices.
Around 400 people were detained in the protest, including members of the organisation Hum Bharat ke Log, led by Tushar Gandhi, and activists affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist).