Bollywood Actor Imran Khan Ordered to Leave India by 28 October After Protest

Indian authorities have directed Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave the country by 28 October 2026. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office in Mumbai issued a Leave India Notice after Khan participated in a protest at August Kranti Maidan on 10 October demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Khan, 43, is a US citizen and holds an Overseas Citizen of India card. Police briefly detained him during the demonstration along with his partner Lekha Washington and cousin Zayn Marie Khan. He posted a photograph from inside a police van with the caption “Apparently I’m going for a drive.” A complaint filed by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya alleged that Khan, as a foreign national, violated immigration rules by joining a political protest.

The notice, issued under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, warns that failure to leave by the deadline could make him liable for prosecution. Khan’s lawyers, including Zulfiquar Memon of MZM Legal, plan to challenge the order in the Bombay High Court. They argue that neither the OCI regulations nor Indian law expressly bars cardholders from attending protests. The petition is expected to be filed as early as 16 October.

Khan is the nephew of actor Aamir Khan and the grandson of filmmaker Nasir Hussain. He appeared in several successful films between 2008 and 2015, including Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, before stepping away from acting. He had been preparing a comeback project after an eleven-year hiatus when the notice arrived. The order raises questions about the status of that film and about the broader rights of OCI holders who live long-term in India.

The protest formed part of a wider series of demonstrations organized by the Cockroach Janta Party and opposition groups over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Critics claim the revision has led to large numbers of voter deletions. The Election Commission denies irregularities. On 15 October the Supreme Court issued notices in related petitions and sought records from the commission. Central Park in Connaught Place, Delhi, was closed on 16 and 17 October ahead of a planned “Lehra Do Tiranga” march by the same group.

Mumbai Police confirmed the notice had been served. An official stated that foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests under the relevant provisions. Khan has not issued a detailed public response beyond the Instagram post on the day of his detention. His legal team describes the Leave India Notice as drastic.

The case tests the boundary between OCI privileges and restrictions on political activity. OCI cardholders can live and work in India but cannot vote or hold certain public offices. Whether attending a protest constitutes a violation remains the central question before the high court. A decision either way will affect other foreign citizens and OCI holders who have joined recent demonstrations over electoral rolls.

For Khan, the immediate practical consequence is the 28 October deadline. If the high court does not grant a stay, he will have to depart and re-enter only under whatever conditions authorities later allow. The notice arrives while he maintains a residence in Mumbai’s Khar neighborhood and while film projects remain in early stages.