The Bombay High Court will hear actor Imran Khan’s petition challenging a Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) direction requiring him to leave India by October 28. The matter was listed for October 26 by a Division Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna.
Background
Khan, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, has challenged the October 14 notice directing him to leave the country. The action followed a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, relating to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
According to the reports, Khan was detained by Mumbai Police on October 10. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya subsequently lodged a complaint, following which the matter was brought to the FRRO’s attention.
Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond mentioned the petition before the bench and requested an earlier hearing. He submitted that Khan had been stopped while attempting to reach the protest site and argued that the notice was issued without giving him an opportunity to be heard.
During the proceedings, the bench asked about Khan’s criminal antecedents. Dhond responded that there were none. The court directed Khan’s lawyers to implead the Maharashtra government as a party to the proceedings so that the relevant information could be ascertained.
“The bench sought clarification on whether Imran Khan had any criminal antecedents and directed his counsel to implead the Maharashtra government to verify the relevant details.”
The petition contends that the FRRO’s direction violated the procedural safeguards available to OCI cardholders. Khan has sought the quashing of the October 14 notice and interim protection against deportation and other coercive measures.
The Bombay High Court scheduled the matter for October 26 to allow the FRRO time to obtain instructions.
No final ruling on the validity of the notice was reported at this stage.
