Bombay HC defers hearing on Imran Khan’s plea against Leave India Notice to October 27

Actor Imran Khan being taken away by the police during the Anti-CEC protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. File | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini The Bombay High Court on Monday (October 26, 2026) deferred the hearing of actor Imran Khan’s petition challenging a Leave India Notice (LIN) issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), directing him to leave the country by October 28 over his alleged participation in protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar earlier this month.A division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna adjourned the matter to Tuesday (October 27, 2026) at 3 p.m.. When the matter was taken up in the morning, the bench was informed that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would appear, after which it was kept for the afternoon session. Senior Advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Mr. Khan, subsequently sought an adjournment.Notice challenged as arbitraryMr. Khan, a U.S. citizen and Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, was detained by Mumbai Police earlier this month in connection with protests against the CEC over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.In his petition filed through advocates Zulfikar Memon, Parvez Memon and Chirag Naik, Khan alleged that the FRRO issued the notice in haste, within five days of complaints by political leaders, without independently verifying the allegations.He contended that the notice did not specify any violation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, or the Citizenship Act, 1955, and was issued without an inquiry, show-cause notice or opportunity to respond.Denying active participation in the protests, Mr. Khan claimed that no demonstration was underway when he reached August Kranti Maidan. He alleged that police detained him and his family members without justification, drove them around Mumbai for nearly an hour and took them to Yellow Gate police station before releasing them.Mr. Khan further argued that the authorities disregarded his OCI status, lifelong ties to India and absence of criminal antecedents. Calling the notice arbitrary and disproportionate, he sought interim protection against its implementation and its eventual quashing.The matter will be heard on Tuesday (October 27, 2026), a day before the deadline for Mr. Khan to leave India. Failure to comply with the notice could invite prosecution under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Published - October 27, 2026 12:35 am IST