Imran Khan orders actor to leave India after joining protest

The Bollywood actor was arrested and released on October 10 while taking part in a demonstration in Mumbai.

Indian authorities have ordered actor Imran Khan, nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, to leave the country by October 28 after taking part in a protest seeking electoral reforms.

An American citizen, Khan holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, which allows people of Indian origin to visit and reside in the country. But an OCI cannot contest or participate in elections.

"Imran Khan took part in a demonstration at Mumbai's August Kranti Square and demanded the resignation of Election Commission Chairman Gianesh Kumar," the police said in a statement on Thursday.

Khan's lawyer has said that the actor will challenge the verdict in the Bombay High Court.

Police said the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has issued a notice to Khan for violating the rules by protesting.

But the actor's lawyer said there is no statutory or legal provision for OCI card holders to bar him from participating in the protest.

Press Trust of India reports that the actor's petition against the Mumbai police notice has described it as "extremely severe".

Khan is known for the 2008 hit romantic comedy Jaane Tu... Ya Jane Na.

He first appeared as a child actor in popular films such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tek in 1988 and Jo Jeeta Wuhi Sikandar in 1992.

Since her debut as a lead actor in 2008, she has acted in a number of films such as I Hate Luv Storys, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan and Delhi Belly.

An announcement to leave the country as Tahitian Khan returned to acting after a hiatus of more than a decade with the Netflix film Adhure Hum Adhure Tum.

On October 10, the actor participated in a protest called by the Sask Janta Party (CJP) - a broader GenZ-led movement that has been protesting for days seeking electoral reforms and the resignation of India's top electoral official over allegations of vote rigging. The Poll Board of India denies the allegations.

"Imran Khan, despite not being an Indian citizen, had participated in the demonstration," the police said in a statement.

The complaint against Khan was filed by state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Krit Somaiah, who accused the actor of being "involved in a conspiracy to spread chaos in India".

Khan did not directly address Sumia's claim, but had spoken to reporters about his participation in the protest.

"I have no demands. I'm here as a citizen, as a person living in this city. I'm here to see why freedom of movement is restricted, why people's voices are suppressed," he said.

He added that he did not participate in this protest as a representative of any organization.

Following this protest, Khan was detained by the police for a short time along with other protesters.

He posted a photo of himself inside a police van on Instagram and wrote: "Apparently I'm going to drive." The post received more than two million likes on the social media platform.

Over the weekend, thousands of protesters marched in Delhi, Mumbai and other parts of India demanding Ginesh Kumar's resignation ahead of crucial state elections in response to the CJP's call.

On Monday, leaders of many of India's main opposition parties, including Congressman Rahul Gandhi, led thousands of protesters in a march from Connaught to the Delhi High Court.

On Wednesday, two senior CJP leaders were sent to jail for five days after they were arrested on charges of encroaching on a protest site in Delhi.

The CJP has called for another demonstration in the capital on Friday evening.