Imran Khan apologizes as Bombay HC keeps leave notice on hold

Actor Imran Khan apologized to the Bombay High Court and undertook not to participate in future protests as he challenged a notice directing him to leave India. The court kept the notice in abeyance until December 7, extending interim protection while the case remains unresolved. Khan’s lawyer, Venkatesh Dhond, tendered the unconditional apology and undertaking during a hearing on Monday. Khan is a US citizen and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder. The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) notice, issued on October 14, directed him to leave India by October 28. The case concerns Khan’s participation in a protest in Mumbai on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Khan was detained during the demonstration. The court questioned his participation, observing that his OCI status did not give him the same rights as an Indian citizen to take part in political protests. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna, also questioned whether Khan had been given an opportunity to respond before the FRRO issued the notice. It raised the...