Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Filmmaker Kiran Rao has expressed support for actor Imran Khan after the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai directed him to leave India by October 28. The actor, who reportedly holds a US passport and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, received the notice after participating in a protest on October 10 demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
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On Thursday, Kiran reacted to a social media post about the development, expressing disbelief over the notice. “Wah, now it’s Mumbai police?” she wrote.
She went on to highlight Imran’s long association with India, adding, “43 years old. 40 of those years in India. Studied here, worked here, succeeded here, failed here, loved here and fought here.”
Actor Saba Azad also criticised the development. Reacting to the news, she wrote, “What? This is bulls**t.”
Why was Imran Khan detained?
The controversy began on October 10, when Imran, who is Aamir Khan’s nephew, participated in a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan. Organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), the demonstration called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Imran and his partner, actor Lekha Washington, were among those detained by Mumbai Police during the demonstration.
After his detention, Imran shared a photograph on social media that appeared to show him inside a police van. “Apparently I’m going for a drive,” he captioned the picture.
Speaking to the media at the protest, the actor said he had attended as a resident of Mumbai rather than as a representative of any political organisation.
“I don’t have demands. I’m here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I’m here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted, why people’s voices are being suppressed,” he said.
Why was Imran Khan asked to leave India?
On October 15, the FRRO issued a notice directing Imran to leave India by October 28, citing alleged violations of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
A Mumbai Police official confirmed the action, saying the notice had been served on the actor, who was staying in the Khar area of Mumbai and held an OCI card.
The move followed a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged that Imran had violated the conditions of his OCI status by participating in the protest against the Chief Election Commissioner.
Somaiya had called for the actor’s arrest and deportation, claiming that his participation in the demonstration warranted action by the authorities.
Imran Khan to challenge notice in Bombay High Court
Imran’s lawyer, Zulfikar Memon, has confirmed that the actor intends to challenge the FRRO notice in the Bombay High Court. The legal team is preparing a petition, which was expected to be filed on Friday or the following Monday.
The actor’s lawyers have reportedly described the order as drastic and argued that there is no specific provision prohibiting OCI cardholders from participating in protests.
The legal challenge is expected to contest the notice directing Imran to leave India by October 28.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
