Actor Imran Khan has shared a photograph of a family embrace with his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, and cousin Zayn Marie Khan as he prepares to challenge an order asking him to leave India following his participation in a protest. The three had attended a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Zayn posted the picture on Instagram on October 15, several days after the trio were detained. Lekha had also shared a selfie with Imran from inside a police van after their detention. Imran now intends to challenge both the Mumbai Police summons linked to his participation in the protest and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) order directing him to leave the country.
Photographs and videos showing the three being escorted into a police van had surfaced earlier. They subsequently confirmed on social media that they had been released.
Imran had previously posted a picture from inside the police van with the caption, “Apparently, I am going for a ride.” His participation also prompted fans to describe him as the real “Ranjhore Ka Rathore”, referring humorously to the character he played in his debut film, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.
That night, Lekha shared a reel confirming that they were safe, followed by an Instagram Story showing her hugging Imran and Zayn. Zayn, Aamir Khan’s niece, later posted a reel displaying marks on her arms, fingers and legs, which she said were bruises sustained during the police action.
Lekha recounts the detention
In a detailed social media post, Lekha said that she, Imran, Zayn, Imran’s mother Nuzhat and several others had headed towards August Kranti Maidan at around 5 pm on Saturday to check on friends who had been detained.
According to Lekha, no gathering was taking place at the venue. Police barricades had been erected around the area, and several media personnel were present. Reporters surrounded Imran, who briefly responded to their questions.
“He responded to the questions from the media, saying we have no demands, we are not part of an organisation, we are just individuals,” Lekha wrote.
She alleged that the interaction was disrupted before Imran could complete his remarks.
“Before he could even finish his sentence, with the weight of the media on one side, loud and incessant whistle-blowing disrupted everything,” she wrote.
Lekha further alleged that police personnel grabbed her and Zayn, leaving them bruised, before forcing the group into a vehicle and driving them around for a couple of hours. She added that they were subsequently prevented from using public transport.
Lekha acknowledged that she and her companions enjoyed a position of privilege and said that others were experiencing much worse circumstances. She also praised the Mumbai Police, describing the force as a “beacon of balance” based on her personal experience.
“It is important to note that we are individuals in a position of privilege and that far worse is being done to others. The Mumbai Police has been a beacon of balance in my personal experience, and I appreciate them deeply. I believe in equality and respect for all, and at some point we must collectively find our voices to speak the truth. Thank you,” she concluded.
Imran prepares a legal challenge
Imran’s lawyer, Zulfiquar Memon, said on Thursday that the legal team was preparing to challenge both the FRRO order and the Mumbai Police summons. The order gave the actor 14 days to leave India.
Once the petition is filed, the lawyers intend to seek an urgent hearing. The matter is expected to be heard by a division bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna.
The FRRO’s Mumbai office issued a “Leave India Notice” to Imran on Thursday, alleging that Imran Khan Pal, identified as a US national, had violated provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, along with the rules and orders framed under the legislation.
The notice, which was also sent to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, referred to Section 7(2)(c) read with Section 29 of the Act. It instructed Imran not to remain in India and to leave the country by October 28, 2026.
The notice warned that failure to comply could lead to prosecution under the relevant provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
The cited provisions empower the government to direct foreign nationals to leave India or prohibit them from staying in particular areas. Section 29 allows the Central Government to order the removal of a foreigner who has violated the Act or any rules or orders issued under it, or who has been the subject of an adverse security report. Government officials can take reasonable measures to enforce such directions.
Questions over citizenship and OCI status
Imran is reportedly a US citizen. In an interview with India Today in 2011, he spoke about his efforts to obtain an Indian passport.
“I am trying to get an Indian passport. The official proceedings are on. I hope I acquire it soon as some big things are on their way. I feel it is my duty to serve my country. I cannot vote here because I am not a citizen, but I do take part in elections by creating awareness about the importance of voting, because I feel I am a part of this country,” he had said.
Memon has stated that Imran holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. He has also reportedly argued that the rules do not specifically bar OCI cardholders from participating in protests.
BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya had earlier demanded Imran’s deportation, citing his reported US citizenship. He urged Mumbai Police to verify the actor’s citizenship and questioned whether a foreign national should participate in a political demonstration.
“Actor Imran Khan should be deported immediately,” Somaiya wrote on X, calling on the police to examine his citizenship status.
Speaking to the media, Imran maintained that he had attended the protest as a Mumbai resident rather than as a representative of a political organisation.
“I don't have demands. I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city,” he said. He also raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of movement and the suppression of people’s voices, reiterating that he did not belong to any organisation and had participated in his individual capacity.
What the Mumbai protest was about
The October 10 demonstration was called by author Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. It supported the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms’ demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The protest focused on concerns surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and allegations of manipulation in voter lists. Police detained Tushar Gandhi while he was travelling to the proposed demonstration site, but later released him.
Mumbai Police said August Kranti Maidan was not an authorised protest venue under a Bombay High Court order. The police maintained that preventive measures had been taken to preserve law and order.
Demonstrations against the electoral roll revision have also taken place in other parts of the country, including Delhi. On Tuesday, Cockroach Janta Party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police after jumping over a gate to enter Jantar Mantar, which authorities had removed from the list of designated protest venues. They were subsequently sent to Tihar Jail.
CJP worker Ajinkya Shinde and other supporters were also detained. Police took action after members of the group entered Jantar Mantar from the side of the Janata Dal (United) office premises near the protest site.
