Judicial scrutiny of India’s immigration-enforcement powers will take centre stage on 26 October, when the Bombay High Court hears actor Imran Khan’s petition to quash a Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) directive ordering him to leave the country by 28 October. Khan, a US citizen of Indian origin who holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, argues that the 14 October notice was issued without due process and violates protections in the Citizenship Act. The case highlights a grey zone for the 4.5 million OCI cardholders who enjoy visa-free entry but remain subject to summary removal under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. Khan’s lawyers say the FRRO skipped mandatory showcause procedures under Section 7D—which require the government to cite specific grounds such as security threats before cancelling OCI status—raising fears that similar notices could be used against other expatriates engaged in activism. For mobility managers the message is clear: OCI status is not an absolute shield. Employers of foreign talent should keep track of staff participation in public demonstrations and ensure that police verification requirements are up to date. Legal counsel recommend that foreign nationals obtain acknowledgements of compliance whenever they update FRRO registration data or change employment roles. If the court stays or strikes down the notice, it could set precedent that strengthens procedural safeguards for long-term foreign residents. Conversely, an adverse ruling may embolden authorities to issue more rapid ‘Leave India’ orders, affecting project continuity for companies employing OCIs.
Source: Bollywood Hungama
