MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Imran Khan has secured interim relief from the Bombay High Court in his legal challenge against an order directing him to leave India, with the court suspending the notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) until the next hearing.
The case will be heard again at 3pm on Monday, November 2.
Imran Khan, the nephew of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, is a US citizen and holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
A division bench comprising Bombay High Court Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna briefly heard the matter. During the proceedings, the central government’s lawyer requested an adjournment until November 2.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh assured the court that no action would be taken against the actor until the next hearing.
The actor’s senior counsel, Venkatesh Dhond, argued that the FRRO order required Khan to leave India the following day.
According to reports, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya had filed a complaint with police, arguing that Imran Khan was an American rather than an Indian citizen and urging authorities to take action in accordance with the law. Following the complaint, police referred the matter to the FRRO.
The controversy began on October 10, when Mumbai police detained Khan near August Kranti Maidan, where a protest was taking place against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The demonstrators were also demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
