Bombay HC stays Imran Khan's exit order until November 2

FRRO notice required actor to leave India by October 28

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office originally issued the leave-India notice to Imran Khan on the grounds of an alleged violation of visa conditions. The government directive required the 43-year-old United States citizen to exit India by October 28.

Khan holds an Overseas Citizen of India, or OCI, card. The FRRO notice set the departure deadline for the day after the court granted the temporary stay.

Legal team alleges notice was punitive and lacked due process

The legal team for Khan submitted a petition claiming the government notice was punitive and issued without proper warning. The Bombay High Court noted that the government did not provide the actor an opportunity to be heard before serving the notice.

The petition argued that the government issued the order without an inquiry or a show-cause notice. Khan alleged the action was politically motivated and reflected a "patent non-application of mind".

Imran Khan denies participation in Citizens' Election Commission protest

Khan challenged the notice after authorities linked his immigration status to his attendance at a protest organized by the Citizens' Election Commission. The actor denied actively participating in the demonstration.

Representatives for the actor stated that "Imran was neither an organiser of nor a participant in the protest". Khan claimed that no demonstration was underway at the time he arrived at the location.

The actor also questioned the justification for the detention of himself and his family members. He maintained that the government lacked a valid reason for the detention.

Actor cites lifelong residency and OCI status in challenge

Khan has lived in India since he was about two years old and has held Overseas Citizen of India status since 2006. He cited his lifelong ties to the country, including his family, marriage, education, and professional life.

The actor also noted his lack of criminal antecedents in his challenge against the government order.

Centre requests delay as hearing adjourned to November 2

The court heard the petition briefly on Tuesday, October 27, before adjourning the matter. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, representing the Centre, requested that the court delay the hearing until November 2.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was to join by video, was unable to attend. The court set the next hearing for November 2 at 3 p.m. after the Centre asked for more time to respond.

During the hearing, Khan’s lawyer emphasized the urgency of the situation by telling the court, "but I have to leave tomorrow".

Court order suspends enforcement without ruling on notice validity

The High Court’s interim order does not overturn the original government notice. It merely suspends the enforcement of the order for the period up to November 2, 2026.

The court ordered that the Foreigners Regional Registration Office must not enforce the notice or take any action to deport Khan until the specified date. The High Court has not yet ruled on the legal validity of the departure notice itself.

Indian law states that foreign nationals who take part in political protests may be deemed to have violated visa and immigration regulations. Khan’s counsel welcomed the relief, stating that it provides the actor with legal certainty while the substantive case is pending.