NEW DELHI, Nov 2 (Reuters) – An Indian court allowed Bollywood actor Imran Khan to remain in the country until early next month after he apologised on Monday for taking part in a protest, local media reported, a move that had led the government to ask him to leave for breaching immigration laws.
• Khan, 43, is a US citizen and was asked to leave the country by October 28 after he was accused of joining protests in Mumbai against the country’s election chief last month
• Last week, the Bombay High Court put the government order on hold until November 2 and extended it to December 7 on Monday
• The court said on Monday that Khan had “no right to protest or participate” in protests as he was a foreign national of Indian origin and was “not even remotely affected” by the revision of voter lists that has triggered nationwide protests, legal website LiveLaw reported
• The court sought an “unconditional apology” from Khan and directed him to give an undertaking that he will not participate in such protests again, LiveLaw reported
• Khan’s lawyer said he would give the undertaking right away and also promised not to encourage or instigate others to participate in such protests, LiveLaw said
• Under Indian law, the participation of foreigners in political protests can be treated as a violation of immigration and visa rules
• The court extended the suspension of the government order until the Foreigners Regional Registration Office, a federal agency responsible for tracking and monitoring foreign nationals in India, decides the case after hearing Khan, LiveLaw reported
• A nephew of actor Aamir Khan, Imran belongs to a prominent film family. He acted in several hit Bollywood films from 2008 to 2015, before suddenly retiring
(Reporting by Hritam Mukherjee; Editing by YP Rajesh)
