Actor Imran Khan, a US citizen and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, will move the Bombay High Court, challenging a notice issued by the Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating rules by participating in a political demonstration.
The 43-year-old actor, OCI cardholder, is likely to file a petition in HC by Friday or Monday through his advocate Zulfiquar Memon.
In the draft petition, the actor has termed the “leave India” directive “drastic” and argued that no provision under the current law or statutory rules prohibits an OCI cardholder from participating in a peaceful protest.
Once filed, the plea is expected to be mentioned for an urgent hearing before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna. The police action follows Khan’s brief detention during an agitation at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on October 10.
Protesters had gathered at the historical site in solidarity with a demonstration by the Cockroach Janta Party in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the SIR issue.
According to officials, Khan was served a departure order after authorities invoked statutory provisions under Section 7 (2)(C) and Section 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, which grant powers to the Government to restrict the movement of foreign nationals and enforce their mandatory removal.