Bollywood actor Imran Khan, nephew of superstar Aamir Khan, has been served an official notice directing him to exit India by October 28, 2026, triggering widespread legal debates and industry reactions across the country. The directive follows his detention during a demonstration held at Mumbai’s historic August Kranti Maidan on October 10, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), where demonstrators demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) controversy. Immigration authorities initiated action under statutory provisions after raising questions over whether non-citizen foreign passport holders can participate in domestic public protests. In response, Khan’s legal representatives confirmed plans to move the Bombay High Court to seek immediate relief against the deportation order, while filmmaker Kiran Rao and his partner Lekha Washington expressed vocal public solidarity.
Kiran Rao Defends Imran’s 40-Year Roots in India While Lekha Washington Shares Detention Photo
The expulsion directive prompted swift and emotional reactions from Imran Khan’s immediate circle and film fraternity peers:
Kiran Rao’s Emotional Defense: Aamir Khan’s former spouse, filmmaker Kiran Rao, took to Instagram to question the Mumbai Police directive, emphasizing the actor’s lifelong connection to India by writing, “43 years old. 40 of those years in India. Studied here. Worked here. Succeeded here. Failed here. Loved here. Fought here.”
Questioning Police Jurisdictions: Reacting to newspaper clippings detailing the departure deadline, Rao pointedly added, “Wah, now it’s Mumbai Police!?”questioning the rationale behind targeting an individual who has lived in the country for four decades.
Lekha Washington’s Support From Detention: Khan’s partner, Lekha Washington, who accompanied him during the August Kranti Maidan demonstration, posted a photograph taken inside a police detention van captioned “Just” alongside multiple hand-heart emojis to signal solidarity throughout the ordeal.
The Core Controversy: US Citizenship, OCI Privileges, and August Kranti Maidan Demonstration
The immigration enforcement action stems directly from Khan’s citizenship paperwork and his participation in civic demonstrations:
Birthplace and Overseas Status: Although raised in India, the 43-year-old You go…or you go actor was born in the United States, making him a US citizen by birth who resides and works in India under an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.
The October 10 Protest: Khan joined demonstrators at August Kranti Maidan demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) policy, leading to his temporary police detention alongside other activists.
Immigration Scrutiny: Authorities invoked provisions under immigration guidelines, alleging that foreign nationals and OCI cardholders violate visa and stay norms by participating in political agitation and public demonstrations within Indian territory.
Moving the Bombay High Court: Legal Team Terms Expulsion Notice ‘Drastic’
Preparing an urgent petition, Imran Khan’s legal counsel is challenging the notice to secure protective relief before the October 28 deadline:
Approaching the High Court: Through senior advocate Zulfikar Memon of law firm MZM Legal, Khan’s defense team is finalizing a comprehensive writ petition scheduled for filing before the Bombay High Court between Friday and Monday.
Key Constitutional Argument: The legal challenge asserts that prevailing OCI regulations and statutory guidelines contain no explicit bar preventing registered overseas citizens from participating in peaceful public gatherings or civic protests.
Seeking Urgent Hearing: Calling the deportation order “drastic” and disproportionate for someone who has maintained uninterrupted residency for four decades, the petition will be mentioned for urgent hearing before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna.