Why FRRO asked Imran Khan to leave India: The law, the notice, and the actor's options
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai has directed star Imran Khan, a US citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, to leave the country by October 28, citing alleged violations of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Adding to this, Mumbai, Oct 10, 2026 – Police detain star Imran Khan among protesters at August Kranti Maidan during demonstrations supporting the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest against chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar (HT File Photo/Raju Shinde) The FRRO, an agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), warned Khan that failing to comply with the directive would make him liable for criminal prosecution under immigration laws.
Meanwhile, The notice, issued on Thursday, has divided legal experts over the Union government's powers to deport the star for participating in a peaceful public demonstration, and the legal remedies available to him
Notably, On October 10, Khan joined a protest at August Kranti Maidan organised by Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, Tushar Gandhi, supporting a campaign by Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) demanding the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
As per the latest buzz, Local police detained several participants, including Gandhi, Khan, his partner Lekha Washington, mother Nuzhat Khan, and cousin Zayn Marie, stating that the demonstration lacked prior police permission.
In further updates, In conversation with reporters before his detention, Khan shared, “I am here as a citizen, to see why freedom of movement has been restricted and why people’s voices are being oppressed.”
On top of that, Five days after the demonstration, the FRRO sent Khan a notice under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, which took effect on September 1, 2025.
The legislation, which consolidated India’s immigration laws and strengthened provisions governing the entry, stay, and departure of foreign nationals, replaced four legacy statutes: the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920; the Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939; the Foreigners Act, 1946; and the Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000.
Source: Hindustan Times