HC says OCI cardholders don’t have right to protest, asks actor Imran Khan to apologise

The Bombay High Court on Monday said that Overseas Citizen of India cardholders do not have the right to protest and asked actor Imran Khan to apologise for participating in a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai in October, reported Bar and Bench.

Khan tendered an unconditional apology and gave an undertaking that he would not participate in similar protests as an Overseas Citizen of India cardholder.

A bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna extended the order putting on hold the October 15 notice to Khan by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, reported Live Law.

The office had directed Khan, a citizen of the United States, to leave the country by October 28, allegedly for participating in the protests against Kumar.

A Leave India Notice is a directive issued by the authorities requiring a foreign citizen to exit the country within a specified time period. Failing to comply with the order could lead to detention, deportation or blacklisting.

Khan holds an Overseas Citizen of India card, which is an immigration status that allows foreign citizens of Indian origin to live and work in India indefinitely.

After he moved the High Court, his lawyer said that rules do not prohibit Overseas Citizen of India cardholders from participating in a protest.

During the hearing on Monday,...

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