Imran Khan Told to Leave India After Mumbai Election Protest

Bollywood actor Imran Khan was detained in Mumbai on October 10 during protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to Times now, the Cockroach Janata Party, or CJP, was protesting alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

The CJP in this coverage refers to the Cockroach Janata Party, not the Chief Justice of Pakistan. The Hindu reported that police barricaded the road leading to August Kranti Maidan as hundreds of students and activists protested outside.

On October 10, Khan was among those detained as police restricted movement around the protest. Reports differed on the overall number detained: India Today put the figure at 400, while The Hindu reported 600, including Tushar Gandhi and Khan.

By October 11, Khan had been released. India Today reported on a video of him greeting police with "Jai Hind" after his release. Separately, Times now reported that politician Kirit Somaiya wanted him deported over his participation.

On October 12 and 13, accounts from Khan's partner, Lekha Washington, brought attention to how the detentions were conducted. Times now reported her assertion that they were detained despite there being no gathering, while India Today reported her account of being grabbed and bruised.

On October 15, the dispute became a formal immigration matter. The Hindu reported that Mumbai Police had issued Khan, a US citizen, a notice directing him to leave India by October 28 for allegedly violating immigration laws.

Khan is preparing to contest the order in the Bombay High Court. NDTV Top Stories reported that lawyer Zulfiqar Memon would file a petition challenging it, and Variety Movies also described the challenge as being prepared. Mint, however, reported that he had already moved the court, so the coverage differs on whether filing has taken place.

The notice has divided public figures. CJP's Abhijeet Dipke called on Bollywood to stand with Khan, according to Indian Express. Hindustan Times reported that Ashoke Pandit supported the government notice and questioned Khan's right to protest as a US citizen.

The immediate issue is the court challenge and whether it changes Khan's obligation to leave by October 28. The provided coverage reports no court ruling or suspension of the notice.

The legal dispute concerns the alleged immigration breach, not simply whether Khan attended the demonstration. Mint linked the notice to his OCI status and reported that Somaiya had filed a complaint over his participation. The court proceedings could clarify the basis of the order and Khan's grounds for contesting it.