Bombay High Court to Hear Imran Khan’s Plea Against ‘Leave India’ Notice on October 26
The Bombay High Court has scheduled the hearing for actor Imran Khan’s petition challenging the Foreigners Regional Registration Office’s (FRRO) ‘Leave India’ directive for October 26, 2026.
The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder was served a notice on October 14 directing him to depart the country following his participation in a political protest in Mumbai. Khan has challenged the directive, arguing it was issued arbitrarily without a fair hearing or due process.
High Court Hearing and Direction to Implead State Government
Mentioned before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna, Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond—representing Khan—requested an urgent hearing on October 21.
While the bench set October 26 to allow the FRRO time to seek instructions, it also directed Khan’s legal team to add the State of Maharashtra as a party respondent to examine if any criminal antecedents exist.
“Are there any criminal antecedents? Join State as party… This is a local matter. So make State of Maharashtra a party,” the division bench observed.
Key Grounds of the Legal Challenge
In his petition filed on October 17, Khan contends that the FRRO acted under public pressure and social media campaigns by political figures rather than conducting an independent assessment. The notice followed an FIR lodged by BJP leader Kirit Somaiya at Mumbai’s Gamdevi police station after Khan attended a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Khan’s petition seeks:
- Quashing of Notice: Immediate annulment of the October 14 ‘Leave India’ directive.
- Interim Protection: A stay on deportation, lookout circulars, blacklisting, or OCI status interference.
- Record Production: Submission of internal administrative files behind the decision.
Distinction Between ‘Leave India’ Notice and OCI Cancellation
Notably, Khan’s current petition specifically targets the October 14 eviction directive, rather than a separate show-cause notice issued by the FRRO on October 17 under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act regarding potential OCI registration cancellation.
Khan’s legal counsel argues that the FRRO bypassed mandatory statutory safeguards under Section 7D, rendering the sudden departure order legally unsustainable.
