Mumbai, November 2: The Bombay High Court has asked actor Imran Khan to tender an unconditional apology or express regret on oath or through an undertaking over his participation in protests against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The court also asked him to undertake that he would not participate in such protests in the future. The actor subsequently submitted an undertaking before the court.
Khan is a US citizen and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. Observing that he was not directly affected by the SIR exercise, the court said he could not be treated on a par with Indian citizens. The bench also made oral observations that he had no right to criticise the country.
The remarks came during the hearing of Khan’s petition challenging a ‘Leave India Notice’ issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO). The notice, issued on October 14, directed him to leave India by October 28. On October 28, the High Court had kept the notice in abeyance. On Monday, the court extended the protection until December 7.
Khan was detained by the Mumbai Police on October 10 while attending a protest near August Kranti Maidan against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Days later, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya lodged a police complaint alleging that the actor had violated OCI rules and visa conditions by participating in the demonstration.
The Mumbai Police forwarded an FIR to the FRRO. The Indian Express report described the FIR as “unproven”. The FRRO subsequently issued the Leave India Notice to Khan.
The High Court also questioned the FRRO’s action. It orally remarked that a person who had been living in India for more than four decades and had no criminal antecedents should have been given at least an opportunity to present his case before a Leave India Notice was issued.
The next hearing on Khan’s petition is scheduled for December 7.
