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Imran Khan receives FRRO notice to leave India by October 28 after anti-cec protest in Mumbai

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai has reportedly directed actor Imran Khan to leave India by October 28, following his participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai on October 10. The action came after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya raised concerns about the actor's participation in a political demonstration, citing his reported US citizenship and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status. According to reports, Somaiya approached the Mumbai Police and sought verification of Khan's citizenship. He questioned whether a foreign national holding a US passport and an OCI card should be participating in a political agitation in India. The protest, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), took place at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai Central. A Mumbai Police official confirmed that the FRRO had taken action against the actor. The FRRO has taken the action and a notice was served to the actor Imran Khan, who is [in India] on an OCI card. The actor nephew of Bollywood star Amir Khan stays in Khar and was served the notice, the official said. The FRRO functions under the Bureau of Immigration, which comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The agency oversees matters concerning the registration, movement, stay, departure and visa extensions of foreign nationals in India, working in coordination with the police. Speaking about his complaint, Somaiya said that he had sought information regarding the duration of Khan's US citizenship. According to news agency PTI, the BJP leader alleged that the actor, who was born and educated in the United States, had earned his livelihood in India while participating in political and diplomatic activities opposing the government. Somaiya also expressed gratitude to the authorities for taking action. Imran Khan explains his presence at the protest During the demonstration, Khan said that he had attended in his capacity as a citizen and was not there to put forward any specific demands. In a video that circulated widely on social media, the actor explained his reasons for joining the protest. I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people's voices being suppressed? That is why I am here, the actor said. Khan, his girlfriend Lekha Washington, his mother Nusrat and his niece Zayn (Marie) were among approximately 400 people detained during the protest. The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Following the detention, Zayn shared a video in which she alleged that police personnel had assaulted and manhandled her. She also showed bruises that she said she had sustained during the incident. The reported notice directing Khan to leave India by October 28 follows the complaint over his participation in the demonstration. The matter has brought attention to questions surrounding the participation of OCI cardholders in political protests in the country. Also Read : FIR register against Imran Khan and others over August Kranti Maidan protest: REPORT