Imran Khan, an American citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India card and nephew of actor Aamir Khan, has been ordered by Indian authorities to depart the country by 28 October following his participation in a demonstration organized by the Cockroach Janta Party on 10 October. The protest, held at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai, called for electoral reforms and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of vote fraud, which India’s election commission has denied.
The Foreigners’ Regional Registration Office issued Khan a notice alleging he violated laws by participating in the agitation despite holding an OCI card, which permits people of Indian origin to reside in India but does not grant voting or electoral rights. Khan was briefly detained alongside other protesters but subsequently posted about the incident on social media, garnering significant engagement. According to police, the actor participated in the demonstration without being an Indian citizen, though Khan’s legal representative contends that no provision prohibits OCI cardholders from protesting.
The complaint against Khan was filed by Kirit Somaiya, a Bharatiya Janata Party leader, who accused the actor of involvement in activities designed to foment unrest. Khan characterized his participation as a personal expression of concern about restrictions on freedom of movement and suppression of public voices, stating he attended as an individual rather than as a representative of any organization. His legal team has indicated plans to challenge the departure order in the Bombay High Court, arguing the notice is excessive.
Khan is known for roles in films including the 2008 romantic comedy Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and several other productions spanning his career. He is currently returning to acting through a Netflix production following a decade-long absence from the industry. The order comes amid broader demonstrations across India calling for electoral reform, with opposition party leaders and thousands of protesters participating in marches in major cities.
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