The Bombay High Court has adjourned the hearing on actor Imran Khan’s plea challenging a notice directing him to leave India by October 28. The court will hear the matter next on November 2. The adjournment came after the Centre assured the court that no coercive action would be taken against Khan until the next hearing.
Khan, a US citizen, was issued a ‘Leave India Notice’ by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai, over his alleged participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The notice, issued under the Immigration and Foreigners Act (IFA), 2025, reportedly cited a “purported contravention of uncited provisions of the IFA and the Rules and Orders”.
The actor challenged the notice before the High Court, describing it as “arbitrary, unreasoned and wholly misconceived”. His plea argued that the order violated his fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and the right to life and personal liberty, respectively.
The notice was issued following a protest in Mumbai against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which Khan allegedly attended. However, Indian law restricts foreign nationals from participating in certain demonstrations.
Legal experts point out that Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(1)(b), which guarantee freedom of speech and expression and the right to assemble peacefully without arms, apply exclusively to Indian citizens. Khan, therefore, cannot directly invoke these rights as a US citizen.
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However, Articles 14 and 21 protect all persons within Indian territory, irrespective of nationality. While the government has broad powers to regulate the entry, stay and removal of foreign nationals, their exercise remains subject to applicable legal and constitutional safeguards.