Imran Khan gets interim relief, court pauses leave India order till November 2

The Bombay High Court on Monday postponed the hearing on actor Imran Khan's plea challenging the Foreigners Regional Registration Office's (FRRO) 'Leave India' notice. The next hearing is scheduled for November 2, Monday, at 3 pm after the Centre requested additional time to respond. The actor, a US citizen, had earlier received a notice asking him to leave the country by October 28 following his participation during a protest in Mumbai. The court was assured that no coercive steps would be taken against the actor until the next hearing, while the notice would remain on hold.The order comes just a day before the deadline set by the FRRO for Imran to exit the country. The actor, who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, had approached the High Court challenging the notice and questioning its legality.According to Bar and Bench, the matter was heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna. The court was informed earlier in the day that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta would represent the Centre. Imran’s counsel, senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, subsequently asked for the matter to be listed in the afternoon, citing its urgency.During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General sought more time and proposed that the case be taken up the following Monday. Highlighting the immediate deadline, Dhond told the court, "but I have to leave tomorrow." The government's law officer responded that the matter could be listed on Monday, adding, "Nothing will happen. That is an oral assurance." The High Court then scheduled the next hearing for Monday and directed that the notice being challenged remain in abeyance in the interim. The Centre's assurance also means that no coercive action will be taken against Khan under the notice before the next hearing.What led to the case?The legal dispute follows an incident on October 10, when Mumbai Police detained Imran near August Kranti Maidan. He was present at a protest calling for 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 the actor to leave the country by October 28. The notice cited Sections 7(2)(C) and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.Imran subsequently filed a writ petition titled Imran Khan Pal v. Union of India & Ors., through lawyers Zulfiquar Memon, Parvez Memon and Kunal Vajani. In his plea, he described the notice as arbitrary and alleged that it infringed his fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. He also questioned the procedure followed by the authorities, arguing that he had not been given a prior hearing or an opportunity to respond through the prescribed show-cause process.Khan is known for his movies in Bollywood, including his debut Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, followed by Delhi Belly, Break Ke Baad, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, among others.- Ends