Actor Imran Khan has tendered an unconditional apology before the Bombay High Court over his participation in a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Mumbai. The development comes after the court questioned why the US citizen, who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, had taken part in a political protest in India.
Following his apology on Monday, the court kept the ‘Leave India’ notice issued against him in abeyance until December 7. The case will be heard again on that date, giving the actor temporary relief as the legal proceedings continue.
Why Did The Bombay High Court Question Imran Khan?
Today I wrote & spoke to Gamdevi Police Station Mumbai that FIR filed against Foreign Citizen Actor #ImranKhan is INCOMPLETE
I will visit Gamdevi Police Station tomorrow 12 October afternoon at 12.30pm
Imran Khan should be charged for taking part in illegal political agitation, violation of OCI Provisions, VISA conditions…. Foreign Citizen don’t have similar rights as Indian Citizens
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) October 11, 2026
The court was hearing Khan’s petition challenging a Leave India Notice (LIN) issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The notice, dated October 14, directed him to leave India by October 28. During the hearing, a bench led by Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra questioned Khan’s participation in the protest, pointing out the distinction between the rights of Indian citizens and those of OCI cardholders.
“What for were you there? There’s a complete difference between the rights of citizens and OCI card holders… You need to clarify whether you were there for protests or for some other work. You will have to categorically make a statement that you had no association with the protests, etc. Because the agitation was with regard to SIR, with which you have no concern at all,” the court said.
The bench also asked Khan to consider how another country might respond if an Indian citizen participated in a similar protest there.
“Obviously, because you aren’t an Indian citizen… Imagine if an Indian citizen does such protests in any other country, take, for example, your country – the US. That Indian citizen would have been sent back to the country on the next immediate flight,” the court added. Imran Khan subsequently tendered an unconditional apology before the court.
How Did The ‘Leave India’ Notice Case Begin?
The controversy began after Imran Khan was detained during a CJP protest in Mumbai on October 10. The demonstration was directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and related to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Following the incident, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed a police complaint alleging that Khan had violated OCI rules and visa conditions. The Mumbai Police subsequently forwarded an FIR, described in the supplied reports as unproven, to the FRRO. The immigration authority then issued the Leave India Notice on October 14, directing the actor to leave the country by October 28. Imran Khan challenged the notice before the Bombay High Court, seeking relief against the direction.
Court Extends Relief Until December 7
The Bombay High Court had previously kept the Leave India Notice in abeyance until November 2. Following Monday’s hearing and Khan’s unconditional apology, the court extended that protection until December 7.
This means the notice will remain on hold until the next hearing. However, the extension does not amount to a final decision on Imran Khan’s petition or the underlying allegations. The next hearing is scheduled for December 7, when the court is expected to take up the matter again.
Conclusion
Imran Khan’s unconditional apology has brought temporary relief in the case concerning his participation in the Mumbai protest. The Bombay High Court has kept the Leave India Notice in abeyance until December 7, allowing the legal proceedings to continue. The next hearing will be an important step in determining how the matter proceeds.
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