A NOTICE by Mumbai Police asking Bollywood actor Imran Khan, a US citizen, to leave the country by October 28 for participating in demonstrations against CEC Gyanesh Kumar has triggered a controversy, with the filmstar deciding to move the Bombay High Courtand Opposition parties terming the decision as “dictatorial”. Khan, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder who hasacted in several Bollywood filmsincluding ‘I Hate Luv Storys’(2010) and ‘MereBrother Ki Dulhan’(2011), was served thenotice by the ForeignersRegional RegistrationOffice (FRRO) forallegedly violating provisions of theImmigration andForeigners Act. A policeofficial said a formal noticeinstructing Khan to leave thecountry by October 28 was served on the 43-year-old actor and further administrative procedures were on.

 

“Imran Khan holds foreign citizenship and is not an Indian national. Under relevant provisions of the Foreigners/Immig ration Act, foreign nationals are prohibited from participating in political protests or political activities on Indian soil,” a police official said. Meanwhile, the actor is likely to approach the Bombay High Court on Friday or Monday through his advocate Zulfiquar Memon, challenging the notice. According to the draft plea, no provision of law or rule prohibits an OCI cardholder from participating in a peaceful protest. Terming the Mumbai police notice “drastic”, the plea, once filed, is expected to be mentioned for an urgent hearing before a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna. The issue triggered strong reactions from the Opposition MVA alliance in Maharashtra with senior Congress leader Nana Patole accusing the Centre of running a dictatorship.