Imran Khan
Mumbai: Bombay HC on Monday said it will on Oct 26 hear actor and US national Imran Khan ’s petition against a notice to leave India following an anti-CEC stir, two days before the deadline set by the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai. Senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond for Khan (43) mentioned the matter for urgent hearing. Additional solicitor general Anil Singh for the Centre and FRRO said it could be heard on Oct 26. Dhond said since the actor has been asked to leave by Oct 28, it would be cutting it too close.
Because an FIR has been registered, which is at the stage of investigation, it said the actor has been given the expulsion order solely.
He said the actor has been living in India since the age of 2 and has been “asked to leave without notice, without any hearing, without reasons”. He said the petition states that Khan has no criminal antecedents. Singh, however, said, “We will come prepared to argue the matter. Dhond said it had been. The plea said the FRRO notice is based on “purported contravention of uncited provisions of Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and rules and orders” under it. The petition said merely reproducing the words of a statutory provision mechanically is not sufficient in law and cannot be countenanced. It said the offences alleged in the FIR are all bailable and none carries punishment exceeding two years in jail.
The Chief Justice-led bench asked the actor to also make the state a party. Dhond sought a hearing this week. The HC bench asked if all parties had been served a copy of the petition.
The actor had filed the petition on Saturday challenging the notice as “arbitrary, unreasoned and wholly misconceived’’ and against principles of natural justice.