Imran Khan gets relief from India exit order until November 2

Bollywood actor Imran Khan has received temporary relief from an order directing him to leave India, with the Bombay High Court being assured that no coercive action will be taken against him until November 2.

The assurance came during a court hearing on Tuesday, allowing the actor to remain in India while his petition challenging the departure notice is considered. The development comes a day before the October 28 deadline set by immigration authorities.

Khan had approached the Bombay High Court against a notice issued by Mumbai’s Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) on October 14. The notice reportedly followed his alleged involvement in a protest near August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai on October 10.

The demonstration was held against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Khan, who is a US citizen and holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, was briefly detained by Mumbai Police in connection with the gathering.

However, the actor has denied participating in the protest. His representatives said he was neither an organiser nor a participant and had gone to observe the gathering. According to his legal team, police detained him before he reached the protest site.

In his petition, Khan challenged the departure notice on constitutional and procedural grounds. His lawyers argued that the authorities had not clearly specified which immigration rules he had allegedly violated or given him an adequate opportunity to present his position.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Khan’s counsel highlighted the urgency of the case because of the approaching deadline. The government sought additional time and assured the court that no coercive measures would be taken against the actor before the next hearing.

The matter also involves Khan’s OCI status. He has reportedly received a separate show-cause notice asking him to explain why his registration should not be cancelled.

Khan has lived in India since he was about two years old and has held OCI status since 2006. Although the latest development allows him to remain in the country temporarily, the legal dispute is still pending.

The Bombay High Court has yet to decide the validity of the departure notice or resolve the broader questions surrounding his immigration status. The next hearing is expected to determine how the proceedings will move forward.