Imran Khan Gets Temporary Relief: Centre Assures Bombay High Court He Need Not Leave India Until November 2
Bollywood actor Imran Khan has received temporary relief in his legal battle against a ‘Leave India Notice’ issued by the Foreigners Registration Regional Office (FRRO), Mumbai. On October 27, the Centre assured the Bombay High Court that he would not be required to leave India until November 2, when his petition challenging the notice is scheduled to be heard. The notice had directed him to leave the country by October 28 following allegations linked to a protest in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Centre Assures Bombay High Court That Imran Khan Can Stay Until November 2
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Imran Khan will not have to leave India until at least November 2, following an assurance given by the Centre before the Bombay High Court on Tuesday, October 27.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna was hearing Khan's petition challenging the ‘Leave India Notice’ issued by the FRRO, Mumbai.
The notice had directed the actor to leave India by October 28. During Tuesday's proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh requested that the hearing be postponed until November 2 because Solicitor General Tushar Mehta was unable to join the proceedings through video conferencing.
Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Khan, pointed out that the deadline for leaving India was the following day.
In response, the Additional Solicitor General assured the bench that the authorities were seeking an adjournment only until November 2 and that Khan would not be required to leave India before then. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing.
Why Was a ‘Leave India Notice’ Issued to Imran Khan?
The notice was issued after allegations that Khan had participated in a protest in Mumbai demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest was linked to demands concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Following the incident, a complaint was lodged against the actor, and the FRRO subsequently issued the notice directing him to leave India.
Khan challenged the directive before the Bombay High Court, questioning the legality of the action taken against him.
Actor Challenges the Notice Before the High Court
In his petition, Khan challenged the ‘Leave India Notice’ and sought judicial intervention against the direction to leave the country.
The matter was listed before the Bombay High Court as the October 28 deadline approached. During the October 27 hearing, his lawyer highlighted the urgency of the case because of the approaching deadline.
The Centre's assurance that Khan would not be required to leave India until the next hearing provided temporary relief while the legal challenge remained pending.
What Happens Next?
The Bombay High Court has adjourned the matter until November 2, 2026. The petition challenging the FRRO's notice remains pending, and the legal issues raised in the case are yet to be finally decided.
The assurance allows Khan to remain in India until the next hearing, but it does not amount to a final decision on the validity of the notice.