Authorities in India have told Bollywood actor Imran Khan to depart by 28 October, alleging he broke immigration rules by joining a protest, according to Indian media reports published on Thursday. The demand follows his involvement in a demonstration against the country’s chief election commissioner.
Khan, aged 43, holds US citizenship, one Indian newspaper said. Reports noted that Indian law may treat political protest by foreign nationals as a breach of immigration and visa rules. The Times of India said Khan has until 28 October to leave the country.
Mumbai rally over voter list revisions
Khan took part in a rally in Mumbai on October 10 calling for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest targeted revisions to voter lists, which critics and opposition parties say favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party. Khan comes from a prominent film family and is the nephew of actor Aamir Khan. He starred in several hit Bollywood films between 2008 and 2015 before abruptly retiring from acting.
On Instagram that day, Khan shared a photo of himself making a victory sign from the back of what appeared to be a police van. “Apparently I’m going for a drive,” he wrote.
Complaint leads to notice from federal agency
According to a local newspaper, a complaint was lodged against Khan at a Mumbai police station, alleging that he had breached the law. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office, a federal body that tracks foreign nationals in India, then issued him a notice to leave the country based on that complaint.
Khan did not immediately respond to a request for comment from a news agency.
