The Bombay High Court is set to hear actor Imran Khan’s appeal regarding a notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) that requires him to leave India. The hearing is scheduled for October 26, and Khan is contesting the notice issued on October 14, claiming it was done without a chance for him to speak on his behalf. He argues that this action violates his rights as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder.
On Monday, a division bench led by Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna was informed about the situation. Khan’s lawyer, Venkatesh Dhond, shared that the actor received the notice after trying to attend a protest, which he was stopped from entering. Dhond also mentioned that the Central government had received a copy of the petition and requested an early hearing. However, the court postponed the matter until October 26 to give the FRRO time to gather instructions on the case.
During the proceedings, the court advised Khan’s legal team to include the Maharashtra government in the case to determine if the actor has any criminal background. The bench noted that local context was essential for the matter.
In his petition, Khan expressed concerns over how the October 14 notice was handled, stating that the authorities acted too quickly without considering his side. He believes that political pressures were involved, influencing the FRRO’s decision to issue the notice.
The notice itself was triggered by Khan’s brief detention while protesting against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. It followed a complaint filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, alleging that Khan violated public order regulations.
Khan’s legal challenge focuses on the speed and manner in which the notice was issued. He argues that the FRRO did not adequately follow the necessary procedures, impacting his right to stay in India.
Khan’s petition also highlights the legal protections afforded to OCI cardholders, indicating that the FRRO did not adhere to the stipulations outlined in Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, which dictates the grounds and processes for OCI registration cancellation. Notably, on October 17, the FRRO issued a separate notice questioning the validity of Khan’s OCI registration, but he has not included that issue in his current appeal.
The developments around this case are ongoing and reflect the complex intersection of law and politics in a high-profile context.
