Imran Khan asked to leave India over anti-CEC protest; police invoke Foreigners Act

PTC Web Desk: Actor Imran Khan, nephew of Aamir Khan, has been told to leave India by October 28. The action follows his presence at a protest in Mumbai on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Imran had gone to August Kranti Maidan to join the demand for the CEC’s resignation. His partner, actress Lekha Washington, and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan were with him. Mumbai Police detained all three during the demonstration.

According to reports, the action against Imran has been started under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act. The reason cited is that he took part in a protest without being an Indian citizen. He is reportedly a US citizen.

In 2011, he was quoted as saying about his US citizenship. “I am trying to get an Indian passport. The official proceedings are on,” he had said. He added that he felt it was his duty to serve the country and that, although he could not vote as a non-citizen, he took part in elections by spreading awareness about voting. There is no confirmation that he later received Indian citizenship.

Also Read | 'Why is Modi seeking Americans’ help?': CJP's Dipke hits back at singer Mary Millben over foreign funding charge

Somaiya’s demand

Before the notice, BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya had demanded his deportation, claiming he was a US citizen. In a post on X, Somaiya asked Mumbai Police to verify the actor’s citizenship and questioned whether a foreign national should be part of a political agitation.

Speaking to the media earlier, Imran said he had come as a resident of Mumbai and not on behalf of any political group. “I don’t have demands. I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city,” he said. He questioned curbs on freedom of movement and the silencing of people’s voices, and said he belonged to no organisation.

On Saturday evening, after being detained, he posted a photo from inside the police van with the caption, “Apparently, I am going for a ride.” Fans later hailed him as the real “Ranjhore Ka Rathore”, a playful nod to his role in his debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.

What the protest was about

The October 10 gathering was called by author Tushar Gandhi, great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. It backed the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms, which wants Gyanesh Kumar to resign. The protest centred on concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and allegations of voter-list manipulation. Rahul Gandhi was also detained on his way to the venue and released later.

Mumbai Police said August Kranti Maidan is not a designated protest site under a Bombay High Court order and that preventive action was taken to maintain law and order.

Not his first public stand

This is not the first time Imran has spoken out. In July this year, he criticised the police action against students protesting alleged irregularities in the NEET exam. Reacting to reports of a lathi charge at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, he spoke of students who work hard and still feel let down by the system.

Imran has not yet responded to the notice.