Bombay High Court Rules OCI Cardholder Imran Khan Has No Right to Protest in India

Bollywood actor Imran Khan tendered an unconditional apology before the Bombay High Court on Monday for joining a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. A division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna accepted the apology and ruled that OCI cardholders do not enjoy the same rights as Indian citizens, including the right to protest.

The court made the observation while hearing Khan's challenge to an October 14 notice from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office directing him to leave India by October 28. Khan's lawyer said the actor attended the October 10 demonstration out of curiosity after learning that various organisations had organised protests.

The bench questioned why Khan, who has lived in India for more than four decades, had not applied for Indian citizenship. It also asked him to state categorically whether he had any association with the protesters or organisers.

The court extended the suspension of the Leave India Notice until Khan can respond to it, and the matter will next be heard on December 7. Khan must file an undertaking that he will not take part in similar demonstrations in the future.

The bench said Khan could participate in demonstrations in the United States but not in protests of this nature while residing in India. The court also said an OCI cardholder cannot be treated on a par with an Indian citizen.

The New Indian Express reported that the court barred Khan from future participation in such protests and required an unconditional apology before accepting his undertaking.