Actor Imran Khan has received temporary relief in his legal battle against a notice asking him to leave India by October 28. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing on his petition to November 2 at 3 pm after the Centre sought additional time to respond.
The development comes just a day before the deadline issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). Imran, a US citizen who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, has challenged the directive, questioning its legal basis and calling it arbitrary.According to Bar and Bench, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna heard the matter briefly on Tuesday.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Centre, requested that the hearing be postponed until November 2. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was expected to join the proceedings through video conference, could not attend.Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Imran, brought the urgency of the matter to the court's attention, pointing out that the actor was required to leave India the following day under the FRRO directive.
"Lordship may keep it on Monday," the ASG told the bench. "But I have to leave tomorrow (according to the FRRO directive)," he responded.The Centre's counsel subsequently assured the court that no immediate action would be taken against Imran before the next hearing, clarifying that the assurance was being given orally. The court then deferred the matter to November 2 at 3 pm, directing that the order challenged by the actor remain in abeyance until the next hearing.The legal dispute follows an incident on October 10, when Mumbai Police detained Imran near August Kranti Maidan. The actor was reportedly present at the location during a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. His partner, Lekha Washington, and cousin Zayn Marie Khan were also detained.Four days later, on October 14, the FRRO issued a Leave India Notice (LIN), directing Imran to leave the country by October 28.
The notice invoked Sections 7(2)(C) and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.Challenging the directive, Imran filed a writ petition titled Imran Khan Pal v. Union of India & Ors. through lawyers Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Kunal Vajani. He described the notice as “arbitrary, illegal, perverse and drastic” and questioned the grounds on which it had been issued, alleging that it came “without disclosing any reasons, supporting material, or specific statutory contravention.”
Poll
Should foreign citizens have more rights when it comes to protest-related issues in India?
3k+ users shared opinion today
5k+ users already voted today
The petition argued that the authorities had issued the notice without conducting an inquiry, serving a show-cause notice or giving him an opportunity to present his side. It also alleged that the action was based on a politically motivated complaint and reflected “patent non-application of mind.”Imran further denied actively participating in the protest, maintaining that no demonstration was underway when he reached the spot. He also questioned the justification for his detention alongside his family members. Contesting the proportionality of the FRRO's action, the petition stated: “Not only is the notice manifestly disproportionate, if implemented, it would reduce the very principles of natural justice that the Respondents are duty bound to uphold to nothing but a dead letter.
”