Indian authorities have ordered Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave the country by October 28 after his participation in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Gatekeepers News reports that the 43-year-old actor, who is the nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, was served a notice by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) over an alleged breach of immigration regulations, according to TheCable.
Khan, an American citizen who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, participated in a demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10. Protesters called for Kumar’s resignation over revisions to electoral registers that opposition parties and critics say could favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The actor was among hundreds of protesters briefly detained by Mumbai Police during the demonstration.
The immigration action followed a complaint by Kirit Somaiya, a BJP politician, who questioned Khan’s participation in the protest despite his foreign citizenship and OCI status. The complaint was forwarded to the FRRO, which subsequently issued the notice directing the actor to leave India.
Under India’s Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, authorities can order foreign nationals to leave the country for specified legal violations. Police said Khan’s participation in the political demonstration breached the applicable rules governing foreign nationals.
However, Khan’s lawyer disputed the basis for the order, arguing that no law or rule governing OCI cardholders expressly prohibits them from participating in a protest. The actor’s legal team is expected to challenge the directive before the Bombay High Court.
Khan also drew attention to his detention through social media. Sharing a photograph of himself making a victory sign from what appeared to be a police vehicle, he wrote: “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
The actor rose to prominence with the 2008 romantic comedy Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and featured in several Bollywood films before stepping away from acting for an extended period.
The order comes as the protest over electoral-roll revisions continues to fuel political tensions in India.
