Actor Imran Khan’s plea challenging the Centre’s order asking him to leave India will be heard on Tuesday, a day before the October 28 deadline set in the notice expires. The hearing was deferred on Monday after both sides sought more time to present their arguments.
Khan, who holds Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, was served a Leave India Notice (LIN) by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) following his alleged participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged SIR irregularities.
During Monday’s hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, and Khan’s lawyers, Venkatesh Dhond and Parvez Memon, sought time. Advocate Subhash Jha, appearing for Sunil Kumar, who has filed a plea supporting the government’s action, also sought an opportunity to present arguments.
LAWYER SEEKS TO SUPPORT CENTRE’S ACTION
The intervention filed by Sunil Kumar questions Khan’s alleged participation in the protest and argues that his conduct should be considered while deciding his plea.
The lawyer has alleged that the demonstration was organised by the “Cockroach Janta Party” and joined by what the plea describes as anti-national forces under the cover of a peaceful protest.
It also refers to photographs circulating on social media that purportedly show Khan and two women taking selfies and making victory signs while being taken away in a police vehicle. The intervention argues that their conduct showed a lack of seriousness about the law.
The plea further contends that Khan, being 44 years old and a US citizen, should have understood the consequences of participating in a protest in violation of the restrictions imposed by the authorities.
These are allegations made in the intervention and are yet to be adjudicated by the court.
KHAN SAYS HE WENT TO PROTEST SITE OUT OF CURIOSITY
In his plea, Khan has denied any association with organisations or individuals involved in organising or mobilising the protest against the Chief Election Commissioner.
He said he learnt about the proposed demonstration through news reports and social media and visited August Kranti Maidan out of curiosity, accompanied by his family, to see the situation on the ground and understand the concerns of the student protesters.
According to Khan, he found the area barricaded upon reaching the venue and approached the police to enquire about the restrictions. The police told him to leave because the area was restricted under orders issued by the police commissioner, following which he complied and headed towards his parked vehicle.
Khan claimed that the police did not question him further or follow him at that point. However, some media personnel recognised him and sought his views on the protest. He said he made no objectionable remarks and only expressed concern for the students.
He alleged that while he was speaking to the media, police personnel suddenly detained him along with his family and placed them in a police vehicle without explaining the reason for their detention.
ACTOR ALLEGES DETENTION FOR OVER 90 MINUTES
Khan claimed that he and his family were driven around for more than an hour and a half without being told why they had been detained or where they were being taken. At around 7 pm, they were taken to Yellow Gate police station and subsequently released, according to his plea.
He further alleged that the police did not allow them to book a cab and threatened a driver, forcing them to cross a flyover on foot towards Bhendi Bazaar before they could arrange transport.
KHAN SAYS HE HAS HELD OCI STATUS SINCE 2006
Challenging the Leave India Notice, Khan has said he has been registered as an OCI cardholder since 2006 under the Citizenship Act, 1955, and has complied with his applicable legal and tax obligations.
His plea seeks relief against the notice directing him to leave India by October 28. The court is scheduled to hear the matter on Tuesday afternoon, with the deadline approaching.
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