Actor Imran Khan, an American citizen and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card holder, was ordered by the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRO) to leave India by October 28 after he was detained after participating in a Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest in Mumbai.

Imran was accompanied by accomplice Lekha Washington and cousin Zain Marie Khan during the demonstration on October 10 and three of them were detained shortly before being released on Saturday night.

After the ‘Quit India’ order came for Imran Khan, Lekha Washington shared her first reaction by sharing a picture of him from a prison van after he was taken into custody last weekend. Defending Imran’s stance, Lekha captioned the picture, “Just (and a string of heart emojis).”

Two days ago Lekha took to her social media to share details of what actually happened on Saturday.

“On Saturday around 5 pm, Zain Mary, Nuzhat (Imran’s mother), my partner Imran, myself and others walked towards the August Revolution Ground to inquire about our detained friends,” Lekha wrote.

“There was no gathering. Police had put up barricades all around, and there was a considerable media presence, which surrounded Imran,” he added.

According to accounts, Imran had a brief interaction with reporters before the situation turned chaotic.

“We have no demands, we are not part of any organization, we are just individuals,” he wrote while answering questions from the media.

He claimed that the conversation was interrupted suddenly. “Before he could finish his sentence, everything was spoiled by loud and continuous whistling, aside from the weight of the media.”

He added, “A stream of uniformed men grabbed both Zain and me, beat us up. They forced us all into a vehicle and then drove us around for two hours. After that, they didn’t allow us to go on public transport.”

Lekha wrote, “Funnily enough, we got stuck in a lot of traffic for this. The whole evening is documented in detail.”

Lekha admitted that the Mumbai police maintained a ‘balance’ in his personal experience.

She wrote, “It is important to note that we are individuals in a position of privilege and others are treated worse. The Mumbai Police have been a beacon of balance in my personal experience, and I appreciate them deeply. I believe in equality and dignity for all, and at some point we must collectively find our voice to speak the truth. Thank you.”

Imran will fight the case in the Bombay High Court

Lawyer Zulfiqar Memon will file a petition in the High Court challenging this order.

The police forwarded the complaint to the FRO, who issued an eviction notice. It argued that even though Khan has an OCI card, he cannot participate in protests.

The eviction notice is issued under the provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, Section 7 of which empowers the Central Government of India to issue orders, directions or instructions to regulate, restrict or prohibit the entry, visit, presence or movement of foreigners in India.

After being released, Imran posted a picture of himself inside a police van. “Obviously I’m going for a drive,” he joked.

“I have no demands. I am here as a citizen, as a resident of this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why is the voice of the people being suppressed? That is why I am here,” the actor told the media at the protest site.

Also Read | Actor Imran Khan has challenged the ‘Quit India’ order in the Bombay High Court