Imran Khan Relief: Court Pauses Order to Leave India

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court has granted Bollywood actor Imran Khan temporary protection against a Centre's directive asking him to leave the country by October 28. The court on Tuesday put the notice on hold and ordered that no strict action be taken against him until the next hearing.

Imran had moved the High Court against the notice. At the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) appearing for the government requested that the case be taken up after a week and that no penal steps be initiated against the actor in the interim.

After examining the arguments of both parties, the court chose to continue the stay on the notice. The next hearing is set for November 2 at 3 pm, and the interim relief will stay in place until then.

The case originates from Imran Khan's involvement in a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Officials claim that the actor, despite not being an Indian citizen, violated the Foreigners Act by joining a political demonstration.

In his petition, Imran has described the government's action as arbitrary. He has pointed out that he was given just 14 days to leave India, without any preliminary probe, show-cause notice, or hearing. In his view, this breaches the basic tenets of natural justice.

The petition further notes that the protest site was not declared a restricted area. Imran asserts that he did not cross any barricade or break any law during the event.

He has also claimed that as he was getting ready to exit the protest location, media persons surrounded him, and he was subsequently taken into custody.

The FRRO, in its order, had alleged that Imran took part in a political protest even though he holds OCI status rather than citizenship, calling it a violation of the Foreigners Act.

For the time being, the Bombay High Court's interim order brings relief to the actor. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for November 2.