Imran apologises as HC slams him for protests despite being an OCI card holder

NewsentertainmenthindibollywoodImran Khan apologises as Bombay High Court slams the actor for participating in protests despite being an OCI card holder: 'If an Indian had done the same thing elsewhere would it have been tolerated?' Imran Khan apologises as Bombay High Court slams the actor for participating in protests despite being an OCI card holder: 'If an Indian had done the same thing elsewhere would it have been tolerated?' TOI Entertainment Desk / etimes.in / Nov 02, 2026, 18:57 IST The Bombay High Court on Monday pulled up actor Imran Khan, a US citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, for participating in a protest related to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue in Mumbai.

The court observed that the fundamental right to protest is reserved for Indian citizens, following which the actor tendered an unconditional apology and assured the bench that he would not participate in any such demonstration in the future.A bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna observed that India's magnanimity was evident from the fact that Khan, despite being a US citizen, was first served a notice asking him to leave the country rather than being deported immediately.Appearing for Khan, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond promptly submitted an undertaking on behalf of the 43-year-old actor, assuring the court that he would neither participate in protests in the future nor encourage anyone else to do so.

He also tendered an unconditional apology.The court subsequently scheduled Khan's petition challenging the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) notice for further hearing on December 7. The notice had directed him to leave India by October 28 over his alleged participation in a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai last month.

The bench also extended its earlier order keeping the FRRO notice in abeyance until the next hearing.During the proceedings, the court maintained that an OCI cardholder does not enjoy the same rights as an Indian citizen, particularly when it comes to participating in protests.

Drawing a comparison with how foreign nationals are treated in other countries, the bench remarked, "If an Indian had done the same thing elsewhere would it have been tolerated? If this had happened in America, the person would have been put on the next flight back to India,"The judges also suggested that Khan consider applying for Indian citizenship if he wished to participate in demonstrations concerning issues affecting Indian citizens.

While the bench acknowledged that the authorities were within their sovereign powers to issue the notice, it also urged them to consider the circumstances before taking further action."He (Khan) is ready to tender an unconditional apology.

He has been in India since childhood. Show some magnanimity and a big heart now. We have to be 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family)," the court observed.At the same time, the judges made it clear that the actor could not take his OCI status for granted.

Referring to the powers available to the government under the law, the bench said, "As an OCI cardholder, you (Khan) are at the mercy of this country. Hence, such behaviour cannot be tolerated, but one chance can be given," the HC said.

The court also questioned Khan's reason for attending a demonstration concerning an issue linked to Indian electoral processes. Asking what connection the actor had with the SIR exercise, the bench remarked that he had no right to participate in a protest concerning Indian citizens."For what had he (Khan) gone to a place of protest (in Mumbai)?" the judges asked, adding in a lighter vein that the actor did not even have an upcoming film to promote.

"The rights Indian citizens enjoy and the rights available to OCI cardholders are different. If he had been an Indian citizen then the situation would have been different," Chief Justice Tripathi noted.Reiterating its position, the bench added that Khan's OCI status did not entitle him to exercise the same privileges as an Indian citizen.

"You (Khan) had no right to participate in a protest of such nature. You have no connection with the SIR (Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls undertaken by EC). The right to protest is not available to an OCI cardholder," the HC said.The judges further took note of Khan's social media activity following his release from police detention, observing that his posts could influence his young followers."Your social media posts (after he was released from detention by police) amounted to instigation.

You have young followers who are bound to get influenced," the court said.The FRRO issued the 'Leave India' notice under Sections 7(2)(C) and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, provisions that empower the government to regulate the movement of foreign nationals and order their removal from the country.

Khan was directed to leave India by October 28, failing which deportation proceedings could be initiated.The action followed his brief detention by Mumbai Police during a demonstration held on October 10 at the city's historic August Kranti Maidan.

The protest was organised in solidarity with an agitation by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR of electoral rolls.In his petition challenging the FRRO's decision, filed through advocate Zulfiquar Memon, Khan maintained that he had neither participated in the gathering nor had any association or affiliation with its organisers.Describing the notice as "illegal, arbitrary, perverse and drastic," the actor alleged that the authorities had failed to apply their minds before targeting him because of his public profile.

He further argued that the action amounted to "patent non-application of mind and...