BOMBAY HIGH COURT QUESTIONS ACTOR IMRAN KHAN OVER SIR PROTEST, SEEKS UNCONDITIONAL APOLOGY

November 2, 2026

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 2: The Bombay High Court on Monday questioned actor Imran Khan Pal, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, over his presence at a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Mumbai on October 10. The court continued interim protection against the Centre's Leave India Notice after the actor furnished an undertaking and an unconditional apology.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna observed that OCI cardholders are not Indian citizens and questioned whether Khan was entitled to participate in political protests. The judges asked why he did not consider applying for Indian citizenship, given that he had lived in India since the age of two, studied and worked here, and had a family in the country.

The Centre's Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) had issued the Leave India Notice, directing Khan to leave India within two weeks. The notice followed the registration of an FIR against him over alleged unlawful assembly during the October 10 demonstration.

Khan's lawyer, senior advocate VR Dhond, argued that his client had no association with the organisers of the protest and had merely been passing by when he became curious about the gathering. He also maintained that Khan's right to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution remained applicable to non-citizens.

The Centre, represented by Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, opposed the petition, arguing that Khan was a US citizen and that the government possessed the authority to direct a foreign national to leave India. The Centre also alleged that the actor had encouraged people through social media.

Following the court's insistence, Khan submitted an undertaking stating that he would not participate in protests in the future and tendered an unconditional apology. The High Court sought a response from the Centre and scheduled the next hearing for December 7, while cautioning that the apology should not be treated as permission for future participation in such demonstrations.