Bollywood actor Imran Khan, nephew of superstar Aamir Khan, has been ordered to leave India by October 28 after participating in a protest demanding electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Authorities allege that Khan, an American citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, violated regulations governing foreign nationals by joining the demonstration.
Mumbai police confirmed on Thursday that the Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office (FRRO) had issued a notice directing the actor to leave the country. Although OCI status allows individuals of Indian origin to live and work in India, it does not grant them voting rights or permission to contest elections. Khan’s lawyer has challenged the legal basis of the order, arguing that no provision explicitly prohibits OCI cardholders from participating in peaceful protests.
The actor is expected to contest the notice before the Bombay High Court, with his legal team describing the authorities’ action as excessive. The order follows Khan’s participation in an October 10 demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, organized by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a Gen Z-led movement demanding electoral reforms and accountability over allegations of voting irregularities. India’s Election Commission has denied allegations of electoral fraud.
The complaint against Khan was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya, who accused the actor of participating in activities intended to create instability in India. Khan has not directly responded to the allegation but previously told reporters that he attended the protest as a resident concerned about restrictions on public movement and freedom of expression, rather than as a representative of any political organization.
Following the demonstration, Khan was briefly detained alongside other protesters. He later shared a photograph from inside a police detention vehicle on Instagram, accompanied by a humorous caption. The post attracted more than two million likes and generated considerable attention online.
The controversy comes amid widespread demonstrations across India, with thousands of protesters gathering in Mumbai, Delhi and other cities to demand the resignation of the chief election commissioner ahead of important state elections. Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, participated in a major protest march from Connaught Place to the Supreme Court in New Delhi on Monday.
Meanwhile, two senior CJP leaders were sent to jail for five days on Wednesday following their arrests over allegations of trespassing at a protest location in Delhi. The movement has announced another demonstration in the national capital for Friday evening.
Khan, who gained prominence with his leading role in the 2008 romantic comedy Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, has also appeared in films including Delhi Belly, I Hate Luv Storys and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. He is returning to acting this year with Netflix’s Adhure Hum Adhure Tum, following a break of more than a decade.
The deportation order has placed the actor at the centre of a wider debate over political participation, freedom of expression and the rights of OCI cardholders in India.
