Actor Imran Khan got interim relief in his legal fight against a notice asking him to leave India by October 28. The Bombay High Court on Monday postponed the hearing on his petition to November 2 at 3 pm after the Centre sought additional time. The government assured the court that no coercive steps would be taken against the actor until the next hearing, with the contested notice remaining in abeyance in the interim.
The court’s decision comes just a day before the deadline set by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for Imran to leave the country. The actor, who is an American citizen and holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, has challenged the notice, alleging that it is arbitrary and questioning the basis for its issuance.
According to Bar and Bench, the matter came up before a division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna on Tuesday. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh represented Centre. Imran’s counsel, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, later requested that the hearing be scheduled for the afternoon.
Anil Singh sought an adjournment, proposing that the case be taken up the following Monday. Dhond, however, stressed the urgency of the matter, telling the court, “but I have to leave tomorrow”. Responding to his concern, the ASG said, “may keep it on Monday. Nothing will happen. That is an oral assurance.”
What is the case?
Imran Khan has filed a writ petition before the Bombay High Court challenging a Leave India Notice (LIN) dated October 14, 2026, issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai, directing him to leave India on or before October 28, 2026.
Imran Khan’s PR team issued a statement, “Mr Imran Khan Pal, actor and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) Cardholder residing in India since the age of 2 years, has filed a Writ Petition before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court challenging the Leave India Notice dated 14.10.2026 (“LIN”) issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai, which directs him to leave India on or before 28.10.2026. The petition challenges the procedure the FRRO adopted. The FRRO concluded that Imran, a US National, had taken part in a protest, and on that basis ordered him to leave India. It did so without giving him any opportunity of being heard.”
The actor’s petition argues that the notice does not specify the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, that he allegedly violated. It also contends that the notice was issued without a show-cause notice or an opportunity to be heard.
In his petition, Khan has sought quashing of the October 14 notice, contending that it does not specify the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, that he allegedly violated. He has also argued that the notice was issued without a show-cause notice or an opportunity to be heard.
According to the petition, Khan has held Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status since 2006 and has lived in India since he was about two years old. He has cited his education, professional work and family ties in the country to underline his longstanding association with India.
The petition states that Khan received the notice on October 15 and was directed to leave the country by October 28.
It argues that the notice does not identify the specific legal provisions allegedly contravened or provide details of the material on which the authorities relied while issuing the direction.
