Actor Imran Khan has received a reprieve from the Bombay High Court. The court has also stayed proceedings of his Leave India petition till November 2, 3 PM after the Centre asked for more time.
This relief comes as a temporary relief for the actor and US citizen with an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
Centre assures no immediate action
The division bench hearing the case consisting of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna heard the case.
The Additional Solicitor General of India, Anil Singh, representing the centre asked for an adjournment and orally assured that there will be no immediate action against the actor, reported Bar and Bench.
"My client has been told to leave the country tomorrow. I submit that the hearing must go ahead immediately.
After getting assurance from the centre, the bench has stayed the proceeding of the case and also the order till the next date," Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for actor Imran Khan said.
Why was Imran Khan asked to leave?
The matter began after Imran Khan was detained by Mumbai Police amidst protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar over the issue of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The actor was in vicinity of August Kranti Maidan, on October 10. His partner Lekha Washington and cousin Zayn Marie Khan were also detained.
On October 14, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) served Khan with a Leave India Notice asking him to leave by October 28.
It cited Section 7(2)(C) and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Imran filed a petition in HC challenging the order.
Actor questions validity of exit notice
"Leave India Notice is a completely arbitrary, illegal, perverse and draconian action of the authorities.
They are not providing any specific reason for issuing said notice and the documents.
We haven’t even been asked a 'show cause’ notice to justify our position," Imran said in his petition which said that he hadn’t been issued with a show cause notice.
Imran also said that he wasn’t involved in the protest and questioned why he was detained.
The actor has also added that he has deep connections with the country after living here since he was two years old.
He claims that notice goes against constitutional rights and is against principles of natural justice.
The case will now be dealt with on November 2.