Imran Khan faces deportation over Mumbai protest participation
Bollywood actor and OCI cardholder Imran Khan has been ordered to leave India by October 28 after participating in a protest.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office in Mumbai has ordered Bollywood actor Imran Khan to leave India by October 28. The OCI cardholder and nephew of Aamir Khan was detained for participating in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Imran Khan attended the demonstration at August Kranti Maidan on October 10. The protest, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party and other opposition and student groups, centered on alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. During the event, Khan stated he was there as a citizen and a Mumbai resident to question why voices were being suppressed. He was detained by police that Saturday and later posted a photograph from inside a police van with the caption 'Apparently I’m going for a drive'.
Legal notice issued under Immigration Act
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office issued its notice under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. The FRRO, which functions under the Union Home Ministry's Bureau of Immigration, accused Khan of violating immigration laws. Authorities have initiated proceedings against him under Sections 29 and 7 of the Act. The notice directs him to depart the country by the October deadline.
Political controversy over selective speech rights
The case has sparked a political row over the rights of Overseas Citizen of India cardholders. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed the initial complaint against Khan, alleging the actor misused his OCI status to join an illegal political agitation. Somaiya submitted evidence of Khan's speeches at the protest and accused him of displaying political extremism. He framed Khan's actions as a violation of the conditions attached to his status.
Activist Abhijeet Dipke, founder of the Cockroach Janta Party, has sharply contrasted the treatment of Imran Khan with that of American supporter Mary Millben. Dipke targeted the Centre after the deportation order was issued. He argued for a double standard in political expression. Abhijeet Dipke said: "Mary Millben, an American, can speak in favour of the BJP. But Imran, an OCI cardholder, can’t say anything against the BJP."
Mary Millben has publicly praised the BJP and criticized the CJP. She alleged the party is funded by US donors who oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming these donors aim to target conservative global leaders and fund chaos. Dipke compared the two cases in a social media post and urged Bollywood to speak up on the action against Khan. In an Instagram story, he wrote that Khan could avoid deportation simply by asking Modi, 'Aap aam kaise khaate hain?'
Imran Khan has not publicly reacted to the formal notice. Abhijeet Dipke plans to hold a 'Lehra Do Tiranga' protest at CP on October 16 at 5 pm, urging Bollywood to speak out on the issue.
