For all the bravado that American citizen and alleged actor Imran Khan tried to display, he has surrendered in court and sent his uncle Aamir Khan to speak to MNS leader Raj Thackeray.
Islamist and actor/filmmaker Aamir Khan met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray at his residence on Sunday, 18 October 2026, as reported in NDTV. This comes amid a legal battle involving Aamir’s nephew, actor Imran Khan, who has challenged a notice directing him to leave India by 28 October 2026.
Reports claim the purpose of Aamir’s visit was not immediately known as Aamir and Raj Thackeray have shared friendly relations over the years and have attended family functions hosted by each other.
But the timing of the meeting makes it even more clear with regard to the reason. The meeting comes days after the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a Leave India Notice (LIN) to Imran Khan on 14 October 2026. The actor has approached the Bombay High Court, challenging the notice and seeking its cancellation.
Why Was Imran Khan Asked to Leave India?
The notice reportedly alleged a violation of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, in connection with Imran’s participation in a protest held in Mumbai on October 10.
The protest called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
Following the notice, Imran moved the Bombay High Court on Saturday, 17 October 2026, seeking relief from the directive requiring him to leave India by 28 October 2026.
Imran’s petition disputes the allegation that he participated in or organised the protest. He has argued that he went to the vicinity of Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan merely out of curiosity about student protesters and left when police informed him that the area was restricted.
Imran Says He Went to the Spot Out of ‘Curiosity’
As reported in NDTV, according to his writ petition, Imran travelled with his family via the Bandra-Worli Sea Link at around 4:30 pm on October 10 and reached the vicinity of Nana Chowk around 5 pm. He found the road leading to the maidan barricaded and approached police to ask why it had been closed.
The petition states that no protesters were present at the location at the time, apart from police personnel and media representatives. Imran said he had gone there only “being curious about what was happening on the ground as far as student protesters were concerned”.
When police told him that the area was restricted, his “curiosity ended”, and he complied with their directions and proceeded towards his parked vehicle, the petition states.
The petition further claims that Imran had no association or connection with any organisation involved in organising or mobilising the protest.
As media personnel recognised him while he was walking back to his car, he reportedly told a news agency: “I don’t have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why the freedom of movement is being restricted, why people’s voices are being oppressed and suppressed.”
At approximately 5:19 pm, police allegedly detained Imran and his family in what the petition describes as a sudden and unprovoked action. They were subsequently taken to Yellow Gate police station, after which Imran was allowed to leave.
Imran Challenges FIR Alleging Crowd Incitement
The Gamdevi police registered an FIR that night, naming Imran among the accused.
His petition disputes the FIR’s account that the accused gathered at August Kranti Maidan at 3:30 pm and incited a crowd of approximately 350–400 people. It argues that this account was factually incorrect.
Imran has maintained that he was not involved in organising the demonstration and that his presence near the site was incidental.
‘Resident of India Since Age Two’: Imran Cites OCI Status
Imran, a US citizen by birth, has lived in India since the age of two and holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, according to his petition.
His legal challenge argues that an OCI cardholder is “not an ordinary foreigner” and that his status cannot be curtailed without a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
Foreign citizens are restricted from participating in political activities in India, although OCI status provides certain privileges, including long-term stay rights. The extent to which these provisions apply to the allegations against Imran is part of the legal dispute.
The October 14 Leave India Notice invoked the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, stating that Imran had contravened the Act and the rules and orders made under it. His petition argues that the notice did not identify the specific provision allegedly violated, explain the acts attributed to him or provide reasons for directing him to leave India.
Imran has described the notice as “arbitrary” and argued that it was issued without a hearing.
His petition also alleges that a political functionary demanded his deportation on X on October 10 and again on October 12. While the petition does not identify the functionary, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has publicly demanded that Imran be sent out of India.
FRRO Issues Show-Cause Notice After Court Petition
Imran’s petition also argued that he had not been issued a show-cause notice before being directed to leave the country. However, after the petition was filed, the Mumbai FRRO issued him a show-cause notice.
His lawyer subsequently told NDTV that the legal team was examining its contents and would raise the issue before the court at the next hearing.
Imran Seeks Stay on Notice, Protection From Deportation
In his petition before the Bombay High Court, the 44-year-old actor described the Leave India Notice as “unconstitutional” and sought to have it quashed. He also requested an immediate stay on the directive requiring him to leave India by October 28.
Imran has sought protection from deportation, the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC), blacklisting and any action that could affect his OCI registration.
He has characterised the authorities’ action as a “high-handed and grossly disproportionate abuse of power” and alleged that the notice was issued through a “non-bonafide” exercise of power.
The legal proceedings are underway. The Bombay High Court’s consideration of Imran’s challenge will determine the immediate legal position regarding the notice.
Meanwhile, Aamir Khan’s meeting with Raj Thackeray has drawn attention amid the controversy surrounding Imran’s participation in the October 10 incident and his subsequent legal challenge to the FRRO directive.
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