Actor Imran Khan asked to leave India over participation in anti-CEC protest

Mumbai: Actor Imran Khan, an American national, has been directed to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act following his participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 10.

The Mumbai police said a formal notice directing the actor to leave the country by October 28 had been served on him and that he had received a copy. Further administrative procedures in the matter are underway, they added.

The police had briefly taken the actor into custody during the demonstration.

“Imran Khan holds foreign citizenship and is not an Indian national. Under the relevant provisions of the Foreigners/Immigration Act, foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests or political activities on Indian soil,” a police official said.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya had urged the Mumbai police to take action against Imran Khan for participating in a protest in support of the Cockroach Janta Party, despite being a “foreign citizen”. He had also sought clarity on whether the actor was permitted to participate in such agitations.