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The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Mumbai, has directed actor Imran Khan, an American citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, to leave India by October 28. The action follows a complaint by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya, who alleged that the actor violated OCI rules by participating in a protest supporting the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai Central.

FRRO issues notice to Imran Khan

A police officer confirmed that the FRRO had issued a notice to the actor. “The FRRO has taken the action and a notice was served to the actor Imran Khan who is on an OCI card. The actor nephew of Bollywood star Amir Khan stays in Khar and was served the notice,” the officer said, according to ANI.

According to the information provided, action has been initiated against Khan under Sections 29 and 7 of the Immigration Act over allegations that he participated in the protest despite not being an Indian citizen.

Actor, family members detained during protest

Khan, his girlfriend Lekha Washington, his mother Nusrat and his niece Zayn (Marie) were among around 400 people detained by police during the protest at August Kranti Maidan.

The demonstrators were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

After her detention, Zayn claimed in a video that police personnel had assaulted and manhandled her. She also showed bruises that she said she had sustained during the incident.

Kirit Somaiya seeks deportation, questions OCI status

Somaiya had approached Gamdevi police station with a complaint seeking action against Khan. The complaint was subsequently forwarded to the FRRO by the local police.

The BJP leader demanded Khan’s immediate arrest and deportation, alleging that the actor had violated OCI provisions and visa conditions by participating in what he described as an illegal political agitation.

Somaiya said he had submitted evidence to the police concerning Khan’s speeches at the protest and his earlier remarks. He also urged the Mumbai Police to verify the actor’s citizenship and questioned whether a foreign national holding an OCI card should participate in a political agitation.

Speaking to the media, Somaiya accused Khan of displaying what he described as “political extremism” and alleged that the actor had misused his OCI status.

“The citizens of India cannot tolerate the political extremism that Imran Khan has been displaying during his recent stay in the country. He is an American citizen holding an OCI card, yet he has attempted to misuse his status. Today, we submitted all proofs and evidence to the police regarding his conduct-specifically the speeches he delivered during the protest and his earlier comments,” Somaiya said.

This story was originally published on The Statesman, an ANN partner of Dawn