Bombay High Court grants relief to actor Imran Khan in challenge to FRRO's leave India notice

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 till November 2 [Imran Khan Pal v. Union of India & Ors].

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna briefly heard the matter today, when the Central government's counsel urged the Court to adjourn the case till November 2, Monday.

The Additional Solicitor General (ASG) representing the Centre also assured the Court that no coercive action will be taken against Khan till 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.

"(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 till then.

"ASG seeks time. Matter stands over to November 2 at 3 pm. The order under challenge shall be kept in abeyance till the next date," the Court said.

Khan has petitioned the Court on October 17 to quash the October 14 "Leave India Notice" issued by the FRRO. He also sought an interim stay on deportation, lookout notices, and interference with his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status.

The October 14 directive followed his brief police detention after participating in protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a complaint filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya for alleged public-order infractions.

Khan argued that he received the FRRO notice solely for attempting to attend the protest.

In his plea, Khan contended that executive authorities acted with unusual haste and without prior hearing, bypassing his statutory rights due to pressure from political social media campaigns rather than independent reasoning. 

He claimed the FRRO circumvented Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, which mandates a formal show-cause notice and a reasonable opportunity to be heard before revoking OCI residency.

Meanwhile, on October 17, the FRRO proceeded to issue a show-cause notice as well under Section 7D regarding OCI cancellation. This specific notice, however, has not been challenged in Khan's current petition.

Khan has also requested the production of all internal records related to the decision.

Khan was represented by advocates Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik from MZM Legal.

[Live Coverage]