Actor Imran Khan Pal has approached the High Court to challenge an official directive ordering him to leave the country by October 28. In his legal filing, the actor contends that the directive is completely unwarranted and infringes upon his fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.
According to the petition, Khan has resided in India since early childhood, having moved to the country when he was just two years old. He holds Overseas Citizen of India status, a designation that grants various economic, financial, and educational rights to people of Indian origin living abroad.
The deportation notice was issued in the wake of Khan's participation in a public demonstration. Following that event, the actor reportedly faced arbitrary detention before authorities served him with the removal order. His legal team argues that the government's sudden decision lacks proper justification and fails to follow reasonable legal standards.
The High Court petition calls for an immediate halt to the enforcement of the October 28 deadline. The case highlights ongoing legal debates regarding the rights of foreign-born residents holding Overseas Citizen status, particularly when authorities take punitive action following political protests or public activism.
Legal experts note that Overseas Citizen cards can theoretically be cancelled under specific statutory provisions, such as violations of local laws or actions deemed prejudicial to the sovereignty of the nation. However, affected individuals retain the right to seek judicial review if they believe executive actions are discriminatory or legally flawed. The court is expected to review the merits of the petition in the coming days.
Reporting based on coverage first published by The Times of India. Read the original report at The Times of India.
