Published Oct 15, 2026 | 1:26 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 15, 2026 | 1:47 PM
Actor Imran Khan was detained on 10 October
Days after Bollywood actor Imran Khan participated in the anti- CEC protests in Mumbai, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) served a notice asking him to leave the country by 28 October, according to The Hindu report.
The FRRO alleged that he violated the Foreigners Act by joining a protest against Gyanesh Kumar at August Kranti Maidan on 10 October.
“His acts are in violation of visa conditions and the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act. Suo motu action has been initiated in the matter,” a senior police officer confirmed to The Hindu, while another police officer added, “Imran Khan holds foreign citizenship and is not an Indian national. Under relevant provisions of the Foreigners/Immigration Act, foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests or political activities on Indian soil.”
On the day of protest, Khan was also detained, after which Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint alleging that the actor is a United States (US) citizen and breached the Act by taking part in the demonstration.
I visited Gamdevi Police Station & asked action against Imran Khan.
Police assured to Summon Imran KhanPolice has sent a report to FRRO Foreign Citizen Division also
I also filed complaint with FRRO Immigration Division at Mumbai Airport. I talked to the FRRO Officer also. https://t.co/3All9zLXhI
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) October 12, 2026
While being detained, Imran Khan speaking to the media said, “I don’t have demands, I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted—why people’s voices are being suppressed. That is why I am here. I am not in a position to make demands of anyone. Nor am I part of any organization. I am just here as a representative…”
#WATCH | Mumbai: Before he was detained by Police, Actor Imran Khan says, “I don’t have demands. I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted—why people’s voices are being suppressed. That is why I am here. I am not in a position to make demands of anyone. Nor am I part of any organization. I am just here as a representative…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
Following the news, the BJP leader alleged, “American citizen Imran Khan is receiving money from Pakistan, a foreign power, and such foreign citizens are plotting to spread anarchy in Hindustan. I had filed a complaint against Imran Khan for this.”
अमेरिकन नागरिक इमरान खान पाकिस्तान से पैसा आ रहा है, विदेश की ताकत और ऐसे विदेशी नागरिक हिंदुस्तान में अराजकता फैलाने का षड्यंत्र इमरान खान के खिलाफ मैंने शिकायत दी थी |
इमरान खान को 28 अक्टूबर तक हिंदुस्तान छोड़ना है | ऐसे जो भी होंगे इमरान होंगे, इक़बाल होंगे, युसूफ होगा, अब्दुल होगा जो भी विदेशी नागरिक है, विदेशी पैसा है उनके ऊपर ऐसी ही कार्रवाई होगी।
— Kirit Somaiya (@KiritSomaiya) October 15, 2026
Somaiya earlier claimed that Khan is a US citizen and reportedly holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. He urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration to assess whether the actor’s participation in the protest calls for action under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The OCI scheme was introduced in 2005 for eligible people of Indian origin who hold foreign citizenship. Despite its name, an OCI card does not confer Indian citizenship.
OCI cardholders are foreign nationals who enjoy certain privileges, including a lifelong, multiple entry visa to India, subject to applicable rules. They also receive specified benefits relating to education, property and certain professional activities.
According to an Indian Express report, the OCI rules do not expressly list attending a public protest as an activity for which every cardholder must obtain prior special permission. But this does not mean that all forms of political activity are automatically permitted. Under Section 7B of the Citizenship Act, OCI cardholders are not entitled to specified rights available to Indian citizens. The restrictions on voting and elected office, however, do not by themselves establish that simply attending a protest is illegal.
Meanwhile under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, cancellation of registration as overseas citizen of India, the Central Government may, by order, cancel the registration granted under sub-section(1) of section 7A if it is satisfied that-
(a) the registration as an overseas citizen of India was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact; or
(b) the overseas citizen of India has shown disaffection towards the Constitution of India as by law established; or
(c) the overseas citizen of India has, during any war in which India may bee engaged, unlawfully traded or communicated with an enemy or been engaged in, or associated with, any business or commercial activity that was to his knowledge carried on in such manner as to assist an enemy in that war; or
(d) the overseas citizen of India has, within five years after registration under sub-section(1) of section 7A has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than two years; or
(e) it is necessary so to do in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interests of the general public.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
