Mumbai Police Issue Leave India Notice to Actor Imran Khan Over Anti-CEC Protest Participation

Public Lokpal
October 15, 2026

MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Imran Khan has been served a formal "Leave India Notice" by the Mumbai Police, directing him to depart the country by October 28. The action follows the actor’s participation in a high-profile demonstration at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan, where crowds gathered to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

During the October 10 protest, Khan—along with his partner Lekha Washington and cousin Zayn Marie Khan—was briefly detained by security personnel. The Delhi Belly star drew significant media attention during the detention by sharing a lighthearted selfie from inside a police van with the caption, "Apparently I'm going for a drive."

However, the situation escalated after Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kirit Somaiya filed a formal complaint. Somaiya questioned the legal propriety of a foreign national engaging in domestic political activism. According to law enforcement officials, the notice was invoked under relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, which prohibit foreign citizens from participating in domestic political agitations on Indian soil. Reports indicate that Khan holds United States citizenship.

The actor has until October 28 to comply with the directive.