Imran Khan will not have to leave India on October 28. The Bombay High Court on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, put the actor’s ‘Leave India’ notice on hold until the next hearing on November 2, after the central government assured the court that no action would be taken against him in the meantime. The order comes just a day before the deadline set by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO).
The relief keeps the 43-year-old actor, a US citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, in the country while his petition challenging the notice remains pending. A division bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna heard the matter and recorded the government’s oral assurance.
What the Court Ordered
The bench adjourned Khan’s plea until Monday, November 2, at 3 pm, and directed that the notice under challenge “shall be kept in abeyance till the next date” . The court acted after Additional Solicitor General Anil C. Singh, appearing for the Centre, sought more time to take instructions and assured the bench that no coercive steps would be taken against Khan until then .
Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, representing Khan, pressed for urgency because the actor had been told to leave by the next day. “But I have to leave tomorrow,” Dhond told the court, according to reports from the hearing . The ASG replied that the matter could be listed on Monday and added, “Nothing will happen. That is an oral assurance” .
The chief justice then asked, “Tomorrow he will leave then?” The ASG repeated the assurance, and the bench posted the matter for November 2 while keeping the notice on hold . The order allows Khan to remain in India beyond the October 28 deadline written into the FRRO notice.
Why the Notice Was Issued
The FRRO issued the notice on October 14, 2026, directing Khan to leave India by October 28. It cited Sections 7(2)(C) and 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and warned of possible prosecution if he did not comply . The notice identified him as Imran Khan Pal and recorded his nationality as United States of America .
The action followed an incident on October 10, 2026, when Mumbai Police detained Khan near August Kranti Maidan during a protest seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls . His partner Lekha Washington, his mother Nuzhat, and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan were also detained and later released . BJP leader Kirit Somaiya filed a complaint alleging that Khan’s participation violated rules for foreign nationals and OCI cardholders .
The FRRO also issued a separate show-cause notice on October 17 asking Khan to explain why his OCI card should not be cancelled. That notice is not part of the current petition . Khan has 15 days to respond to the OCI show-cause notice .
What Imran Khan Argued in His Petition
Khan filed his petition on October 17, 2026, through MZM Legal, calling the notice “arbitrary, illegal, disproportionate and unconstitutional” . He argued that the authorities did not specify which statutory provisions he had allegedly violated, did not disclose the material relied upon, and did not give him a chance to be heard before ordering him to leave .
The petition stated that Khan had not participated in the protest. It said no gathering was taking place when he arrived, he did not enter any restricted or barricaded area, and he was apprehended only after media personnel surrounded him while he was returning to his vehicle . Khan has said he has lived in India since the age of two and has “deep-rooted familial, marital, educational, and professional ties to the country” .
His legal team also argued that no statute debars any person from mere presence at, or participation in, a rally or a protest . The petition questioned how the FRRO acted “at the behest of and on the timetable of a political functionary” and said the authority was attempting to have him “uprooted from India altogether without a lesser measure being considered” .
Kiran Rao and Saba Azad Speak Out
Reactions from the film industry have been divided. Filmmaker Kiran Rao, Aamir Khan’s former wife, shared the news on her Instagram Stories and questioned the police action. She wrote, “Wah, now it’s Mumbai Police?” . In another post, she pointed out that Khan had “studied here, worked here and loved here” .
Actress Saba Azad also expressed opposition to the notice, describing the move as wrong . Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised the decision, asking why the government was targeting one artist when other Bollywood figures also hold foreign citizenship .
Raza Murad and Ashoke Pandit Back the Notice
Actor Raza Murad supported the authorities’ action, saying foreign nationals should not interfere in India’s internal affairs. “Whether it is Imran Khan or anyone else, no foreign national has any business interfering in the internal affairs of our country,” he told ANI . He also noted that Khan had been given 15 days to leave rather than being asked to go within 24 hours, and said the actor was free to approach the court .
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit said he was “really very happy” with the notice and argued that non-citizens should understand their rights before joining protests . Actor Gajendra Chauhan also backed the action, according to reports .
What This Means for His Netflix Comeback Film
Khan’s acting comeback, the Netflix romantic comedy Adhure Hum Adhure Tum, was slated for a December 18, 2026 release. The film, directed by Danish Aslam, also stars Bhumi Pednekar and Gurfateh Pirzada . It marks Khan’s return as a leading man after Katti Batti in 2015 .
Promotional plans for the film, which were expected to begin after Diwali, have reportedly been put on hold while the makers wait for clarity on the actor’s legal situation. A source quoted in reports said a deferment is being discussed, though Netflix and the filmmakers have not officially announced a change in the release schedule . Khan had confirmed earlier that the film was in post-production and was expected to arrive towards the end of 2026 .
The Courtroom Exchange
The hearing had its moments. An advocate sought to intervene and raised an objection to the maintainability of the petition. The ASG also questioned whether the bench could hear the plea. The chief justice said the court registry would first verify the issue . Dhond submitted that the bench, as “Master of the Roster,” could proceed, but the court decided to have the registry check before going further .
When the ASG urged the bench to list the matter on Monday, Dhond pointed out the next-day deadline. The exchange that followed led to the government’s assurance and the court’s order keeping the notice in abeyance.
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What the Notice Said
The FRRO notice directed Khan “not to remain in India” and required him to leave on or before October 28, 2026. It warned that failure to comply could make him liable for prosecution under the relevant provisions of the law . The notice was issued under Section 7(2)(c), read with Section 29 of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and referred to a Union Home Ministry notification dated September 1, 2025 .
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