Actor Imran Khan has challenged Indian authorities to disclose the evidence behind a notice proposing the cancellation of his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status, arguing that he cannot properly respond to the allegations without access to the relevant documents.
According to Hindustan Times, in a representation to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Khan described the grounds for the proposed action as vague and contradictory.
He said the authorities had referred to a Mumbai Police report and other documents without providing him with copies.
The actor submitted his response on 22 October to a show-cause notice issued on 17 October. He alleged that a statement attributed to him in the notice was incomplete and that Mumbai Police had not attempted to record his version of events while registering the case.
Khan asked the authorities to disclose all the material they had relied on so he could examine the evidence and prepare an effective response.
He also stressed the importance of transparency and a fair opportunity to be heard before any decision on his OCI status.
The case stems from Khan’s presence at a protest at Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on 10 October.
The demonstration called for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Police detained the actor, who holds US citizenship, during the incident.
The FRRO subsequently issued a notice directing him to leave India by 28 October, followed by a separate notice asking him to explain why his OCI registration should not be cancelled.
Khan has denied violating any rules. He said no protest was underway when he arrived at the location and that he did not cross police barricades to enter the protest site.
He also claimed that media personnel surrounded him as he returned to his vehicle before police apprehended him.
The Bombay High Court has put the notice directing him to leave India on hold until 2 November. The government had assured the court that Khan would not be required to leave the country by the original deadline while the matter remained under consideration.
Khan has also highlighted that he has lived in India for 42 years and built his life and family there. The proceedings over his OCI status remain ongoing.
