Court Extends Stay on Imran Khan's Leave India Notice Till Dec 7

The Bombay High Court has extended its interim stay on a 'Leave India' notice issued to actor Imran Khan, keeping the order in place until the next hearing on December 7. The notice was issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and concerns Khan's stay in India and his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

While granting the interim protection, the court directed Khan to give an unconditional apology for alleged violations of OCI rules. The bench made it clear that an undertaking to behave correctly in future would not suffice.

In the course of the hearing, the court asked Khan's counsel and the authorities several questions. It wanted to know why Khan attended a protest and whether he had gone there in connection with a film's release or promotion. The court also highlighted that OCI cardholders do not get every right available to Indian citizens and are bound to follow the rules.

The court further asked why Khan, who has spent 42 years in India and has studied, worked and earned here, had not opted for Indian citizenship.

Khan's lawyer submitted that the actor had no relationship with the organisers of the demonstration. He said Khan had been educated in India and had been living here for a long time, having spent only around two years in America. The counsel added that Khan was prepared to comply with all necessary conditions and to offer any assurance the court considered appropriate.

The lawyer also pointed out that the FIR contained no specific charge against Khan and that the sections invoked were bailable. The FRRO, on the other hand, told the court that Khan is a US citizen and holds an OCI card, and that the department has the power to take action in the event of a violation of OCI rules.

Referring to 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam', the court said Khan had been living in India for years and must be given a chance to be heard. It added that this opportunity would be contingent on his tendering an unconditional apology and promising to follow the rules.

The matter dates back to October 10, when a protest was staged near August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. Khan had reached the spot with his partner Lekha Washington and was taken into custody by police for a brief period.

A complaint by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya led to further action. The FRRO issued a notice on October 14 directing Khan to leave India by October 28. On October 17, a show-cause notice was issued regarding the cancellation of his OCI card registration. The notice had initially been put on hold until November 2, and the court has now decided to continue that stay until December 7.