Actor Imran Khan has asked the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to disclose the documents and evidence being relied upon to consider cancelling his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, arguing that he has not been given a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations against him.
The actor, a US citizen who has lived in India since the age of two, challenged a notice directing him to leave the country by October 28 after he was detained near a protest site in Mumbai on October 10. The Bombay High Court has kept the notice in abeyance until November 2, when it is scheduled to hear his challenge.
In a representation dated October 22, Khan told the FRRO that a show-cause notice issued to him on October 17 referred to documents and a report submitted by the Mumbai Police. However, he alleged that these materials had not been provided to him, preventing him from adequately responding to the allegations.
A show-cause notice requires a person to explain why proposed action should not be taken against them.
Actor seeks police documents, questions fairness of proceedings
Khan also disputed the statement attributed to him in the show-cause notice, describing it as “incomplete”. He alleged that Mumbai Police had not even attempted to record his statement in connection with the registration of a first information report (FIR).
Arguing that he had not received a reasonable opportunity to explain his position before the authorities initiated action, the actor sought access to all the material being considered in the proceedings.
“I ought to be furnished with an opportunity to examine the contents of all material relied upon by you. The foregoing request, together with the consequential disclosure and furnishing of the aforesaid material, would ensure that I am afforded a reasonable opportunity of being heard in accordance with the statutory scheme of the Citizenship Act,” his representation stated.
Khan further argued that the reasons cited in the notice were “nebulous and contradictory”, making disclosure of the underlying documents particularly important.
He said providing the material would promote transparency, fairness and accountability in the decision-making process. According to the actor, sharing the documents would not prejudice the authorities, while withholding them could prevent him from preparing an adequate response and put his OCI status at risk.
“Your disclosure of requisitioned material shall not cause any prejudice to your office but my failure to adequately respond to the SCN may result in cancellation of my OCI card,” he said.
Emphasising his longstanding ties to India, Khan urged the authorities to consider that he had spent 42 years in the country and had built his life and family here.
“I am committed to cooperating with the ongoing process. I also believe that your offices shall act on my request swiftly and treat the same with the urgency,” his representation said.
Bombay High Court grants interim relief until November 2
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday, October 27, kept the FRRO's ‘Leave India Notice’ in abeyance until November 2 after the Centre sought additional time to respond to Khan's challenge.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna deferred the hearing after Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Centre, sought an adjournment. Khan's counsel, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, highlighted that the actor had been directed to leave India by October 28 and sought an assurance that no coercive action would be taken before the next hearing.
The Centre's counsel assured the court that no action would be taken against Khan in the interim. The court subsequently ordered that the challenged notice remain on hold until the next hearing, scheduled for November 2 at 3 pm.
The FRRO issued the departure notice on October 14 under provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, after Khan was detained in connection with a protest in Mumbai. The notice directed him to leave India by October 28.
The actor has challenged the directive, questioning its legal basis and arguing that the action was arbitrary and disproportionate. The separate show-cause proceedings concerning possible cancellation of his OCI status have also become a point of contention.
Khan denies participating in protest against CEC
The dispute stems from an October 10 gathering near Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan, where protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Khan has denied violating any rules or actively participating in the demonstration. He maintained that no protest was underway when he arrived at the location and that he did not cross police barricades to enter the protest site.
According to his account, media personnel surrounded him as he was returning to his vehicle, following which he was apprehended. He has also questioned the notice for failing to clearly identify the specific rule he allegedly violated.
The FRRO's action followed a complaint by former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya concerning Khan's presence at the protest. Authorities have relied on provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, which empower the government to regulate the stay and movement of foreign nationals in India.
Khan has argued that OCI cardholders occupy a distinct legal category and that the action against him is excessive, given his longstanding residence and family ties in India. He has sought a fair opportunity to examine the evidence and respond before any decision is taken that could affect his OCI status.