MUMBAI:
Mumbai Police have issued a notice directing Bollywood actor Imran Khan, an American national and nephew of superstar Aamir Khan, to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, officials said on Thursday.
BJP politican Kirit Somaiya approached Gamdevi police station on Monday, seeking action against Khan for participating in the anti-CEC protest despite being a foreign citizen.
Khan had joined the agitation at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on October 10, where protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police had briefly taken the actor into custody during the demonstration, an official said.
A formal notice directing Khan to leave the country by October 28 has been served on him, and he has received a copy, police said. Further administrative procedures are underway, they added.
Why has Mumbai Police issued the notice?
Police said Khan was not an Indian citizen and that his participation in a political demonstration had raised questions under the rules governing foreign nationals in India.
"Imran Khan holds foreign citizenship and is not an Indian national.
Under 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.
What did Kirit Somaiya allege?
Somaiya sought Khan's detention and deportation, alleging that his participation in the demonstration violated Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) rules and visa conditions.
"Imran Khan staying in India for the last couple of days is showing extremism, fanaticism. Indians cannot tolerate it. Khan is a foreign citizen and the police will call him for an inquiry," Somaiya said.
In a social media post, Somaiya said he had also filed a complaint with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) Immigration Division at Mumbai airport.
Police refer complaint to FRRO
Gamdevi police forwarded Somaiya's application to the FRRO, saying the matter concerning Khan's OCI status fell within the jurisdiction of the competent authority.
"Imran Khan is indeed a foreign national. There is a competent authority to look into the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) issue and hence we have forwarded the same to the FRRO," a police official said.
OCI card-holders are foreign nationals who receive certain privileges in India, including a lifelong, multiple-entry visa, subject to applicable rules. They are also entitled to specified benefits relating to education, property and certain professional activities.
Further administrative procedures in Khan's case are underway, police said.
