Actor Imran Khan submits unconditional apology to Bombay HC:Had participated in the SIR Protest; next hearing on 7 Dec

Actor Imran Khan has tendered an unconditional apology to the Bombay High Court for participating in a Mumbai protest against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Detained on 10 October, the actor assured the court he would refrain from future demonstrations, claiming he was unaware of the legal consequences and had no ties to the organisers. During the 2nd November hearing, on Monday, the High Court reprimanded the actor for allegedly instigating public opposition, reminding him that he cannot be treated at par with Indian citizens regarding political protests. According to a Live Law report, during the proceedings, the court reportedly questioned his right to comment on the matter, telling him, “You cannot be treated at par with Indian citizens.” The court’s remarks came in connection with allegations that Imran Khan had made statements encouraging people to oppose the electoral roll revision exercise. The development has brought attention to the actor’s comments on SIR and the legal proceedings surrounding them. Next hearing is scheduled for 7 December He has been directed to submit an undertaking affirming that he will not participate in any such protests in the future. Reminding the Central Government of the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), the High Court instructed that Imran be granted time to respond to the ‘Leave India Notice’ (LIN) issued against him. The next hearing is scheduled for 7 December. Until then, the ‘Leave India Notice’ will remain stayed. Key Remarks by the High Court: “Had an Indian citizen done something similar abroad, they would have been sent back to India on the very next flight.” “You have been living in India for so many years and never took part in any protest during this time. Why did you participate now?” Earlier, Imran Khan had received temporary relief from the court
Actor Imran Khan had received temporary legal relief after the Bombay High Court paused a “Leave India Notice” issued against him by the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The original directive required the actor to depart the country by 28 October. However, during Tuesday’s hearing, the High Court had ordered that the eviction notice be kept in abeyance (put on hold) until 2 November. Following this judicial intervention, Khan is permitted to remain in Mumbai at least until Monday while the ongoing legal proceedings are addressed. The Bombay High Court heard actor Imran Khan’s petition challenging a ‘Leave India Notice’ issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) on 27 October. The actor, a US citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, had been directed to leave India by 28 October over his alleged involvement in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna took up the matter after Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond mentioned the petition before it. Imran was detained during the protest on 10 October Imran Khan was detained by Mumbai Police on 10 October at August Kranti Maidan, where protesters had demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Entire controversy began with Kirit Somaiya’s complaint The entire matter began after a complaint by former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya. Somaiya wrote to the Mumbai Police and the FRRO, alleging that, as a US citizen, Imran Khan’s participation in a political demonstration was a direct violation of OCI rules and visa conditions. Under the citizenship law, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders are allowed to live in and travel to India, but they do not have any political rights in India or permission to participate in protests. This entire legal action has been initiated because they participated in the CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The police subsequently informed the FRRO, which issued a notice directing Khan to leave India by 28 October. The notice stated that his alleged conduct contravened the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and warned of prosecution if he failed to comply. In his petition, Imran Khan argued that the notice had been issued without allowing him to be heard. He also challenged the action on the ground that it violated the statutory rights available to OCI cardholders. Kiran Rao and Saba Azad express opposition after the notice Bollywood celebrities had reacted after news of the FRRO notice emerged. Filmmaker and Aamir Khan’s former wife Kiran Rao shared the news on her Instagram Story and wrote, “Wow, is this what the Mumbai Police are doing now?” Actress Saba Azad had also expressed her anger at the police action, writing, “What!? This is completely wrong.” On 10 October, police detained more than 400 people, including Imran Khan, his partner Lekha Washington and his cousin Jain Mary Khan, during the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest at August Kranti Maidan, and later released them. Gajendra Chauhan and Raza Murad had supported the action Actor Gajendra Chauhan had praised the FRRO and the government’s action in the matter. He said Imran Khan is not an Indian citizen and that his participation in the protest therefore amounts to a violation of the law. Chauhan said, “I am extremely pleased that the traitors hiding in the country have been asked to leave. A strict order should be issued to remove Imran Khan from the country within 24 hours instead of 28 October.” Senior actor Raza Murad also said that no foreign citizen has the right to interfere in India’s internal affairs. He said the police had acted entirely in accordance with legal procedure by giving him 15 days’ time. According to an NDTV report, his advocate, Zulfikar Memon, said that on 10 October, Imran Khan was passing through Nana Chowk when he made the statement after the road was blocked and media personnel began asking questions. The legal team had asked the police to obtain CCTV footage from the area to establish that Imran was not participating as a protester. Just before he was taken into custody, Imran had said that he had come there as a city resident to witness the restrictions and the suppression of people’s voices.