Imran Khan gets temporary relief as Bombay HC defers plea against FRRO notice to November 2

Hyderabad: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday, October 27, deferred the hearing on actor Imran Khan’s challenge to a notice asking him to leave India, after the Centre sought additional time to present its submissions. The court was told that Khan would not be required to leave the country before the next hearing on November 2. 

A division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna was hearing Khan’s petition against a Leave India Notice (LIN) issued by the Foreigners Registration Regional Office (FRRO), Mumbai. The notice had set October 28 as the deadline for his departure.

Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh requested that the matter be taken up on November 2, explaining that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta could not attend the hearing through video conferencing. 

During the proceedings, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for Khan, drew the court’s attention to the fact that the actor was due to leave India the following day under the FRRO directive.

In response, Singh assured the bench that Khan could remain in the country until Monday, when the petition would be heard again. The bench began recording the request for an adjournment in its order, but Singh asked the judges not to include any reference to the assurance.

Dhond then said there was no need to record it, given that the ASG had provided the assurance. The court subsequently postponed the hearing until November 2.

Khan, a US citizen who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, has challenged the FRRO’s notice, arguing that it was arbitrary and questioning the basis for the directive. 

The action against him followed his participation in protests calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. With the notice setting October 28 as the date for his departure, the Centre’s assurance allows Khan to remain in India until the next hearing. The matter is scheduled to be taken up at 3 pm on November 2.