Mumbai Police has reportedly told actor Imran Khan, the nephew of Aamir Khan, to leave India by October 28, 2026. The action was taken under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act, according to ANI. Authorities say he took part in a political protest despite not being an Indian citizen. Reports describe him as a US passport holder and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. No court has found him guilty of anything.
What Has Happened So Far?
On October 10, Khan was detained at a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, and by October 15 he had a notice asking him to leave the country.
The protest was in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a youth-led movement. Demonstrators wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, citing concerns about voter-list revisions. Open Magazine reports that hundreds of people were detained that day. Police said the gathering had no permission and pointed to rules that direct protests to Azad Maidan.
Khan was released after being detained. He then posted a photo from inside the police van, captioned “Apparently I’m going for a drive.” Speaking to reporters, he said he had come as a person who lives in Mumbai, not to press any specific demand.
Which Sections Were Invoked Against Him?
There are two separate legal tracks here, and they are easy to confuse.
The criminal case. The Gamdevi police station registered an FIR against Khan and other protesters. The Week reports it cites Sections 223, 126(2), 189(2), 189(3) and 189(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These cover disobeying an order, wrongful restraint and unlawful assembly. Somaiya’s letter, as reported, gives the FIR number as 813 of 2026.
The immigration action. ANI reports that action was initiated under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act. Deccan Herald describes it as “the relevant provision” of the Act, without naming sections. The allegation is that he took part in the protest while not being an Indian citizen.
Publications also differ on who issued the notice. The Week says Mumbai Police and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) together did. ANI says Mumbai Police did. I haven’t seen the notice itself, so treat the issuing authority as reported rather than confirmed.
Who Pushed For Action Against Imran Khan?
BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya raised the issue. In a letter dated October 13 to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, he asked the Home Ministry to examine action under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. That section deals with cancelling OCI registration.
He also asked the Bureau of Immigration to issue a Look Out Circular (LOC) and to alert Gamdevi police if Khan tried to leave. Open Magazine notes that police forwarded Somaiya’s complaint to the FRRO. It also stresses that a request for an LOC is not proof that one was issued.
Somaiya publicly demanded Khan’s arrest and deportation. He said he had given police evidence of the actor’s speeches at the protest and earlier remarks.
Is Imran Khan really a US Citizen?
Multiple outlets report that he holds a US passport and an OCI card. ANI says he holds an American passport, and Gujarat Samachar describes him as a 43-year-old US citizen and OCI cardholder. This has not been tested in any proceeding I could find.
An OCI card is not Indian citizenship. It gives a long-term, multiple-entry visa and some privileges to foreign citizens of Indian origin, but the holder cannot vote or contest legislative elections.
Can an OCI Cardholder Be Told to Leave for Joining a Protest?
This is the central legal question, and it is genuinely unsettled in public reporting.
Open Magazine cites an Indian Express explainer from October 13, which noted that OCI rules do not expressly say a cardholder needs special permission just to attend a protest. But foreign nationals remain bound by Indian law and their visa or OCI conditions. So the answer depends on which provisions the authorities rely on and how they apply to what Khan actually did.
Indian law also gives the government wide powers over foreigners. The Supreme Court has examined directions to leave India under the older Foreigners Act, 1946. In a separate case, the Ministry of Home Affairs told the Delhi High Court it held an “unrestricted right to expel” foreigners, even those with valid visas. Courts have also examined whether such notices must give reasons. The Calcutta High Court heard a challenge from a Polish student on that point. These cases involved the older law, not the 2025 Act, so they are background rather than a prediction.
What is the Difference Between a “Leave India” Notice and Deportation?
A leave notice is an administrative direction, not a conviction. It gives the person a deadline to depart voluntarily. Deportation proceedings are what can follow if they don’t.
According to Gujarat Samachar, if Khan stays past October 28, authorities could start formal deportation and may blacklist him from re-entry. That is a report of what could happen, not a decision.
How has Imran Khan Responded to the Notice?
As of October 15, 2026, there is no publicly reported statement from Imran Khan or his team directly responding to the “Leave India” notice itself, according to the latest reports I found. His earlier remarks, made after the detention, were that he attended as a resident of the city and had no demands.
If he challenges the notice, the likely route is a writ petition in the High Court. That is my reading of how such disputes have gone before, not something reported in this case.
FAQ’s
Why was Imran Khan asked to leave India?
Authorities say he joined a political protest in Mumbai on October 10 without being an Indian citizen. Action was reportedly initiated under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act.
What is the deadline?
October 28, 2026.
Is Imran Khan being deported?
Not yet, according to the reports I found. He has been directed to leave by a deadline, and formal deportation would be a separate step.
Has he been convicted of anything?
No. He is named in an FIR over the protest, but no court has ruled on it.
Who is Imran Khan in this story?
The Bollywood actor and nephew of Aamir Khan, not the Pakistani politician of the same name or the television actor Imran Khan.
Sources
- ANI – Mumbai Police Issues ‘Leave India’ Notice to Bollywood Actor Imran Khan
- The Week – Will Imran Khan Be Deported? Actor Ordered To Leave India After Joining CJP Protest
- The New Indian Express – Actor Imran Khan Told To Leave India For Participating In October 10 Mumbai CJP Protest
- ThePrint – Actor Imran Khan Told To Leave India By Mumbai Police
- Hindustan Times – Actor Imran Khan Asked To Leave India By October 28
- News18 – Mumbai Police Asks Actor Imran Khan To Leave India By Oct 28
- The Daily Star – Bollywood Actor Imran Khan Detained During Mumbai Protest
