The Bombay High Court on Monday deferred the hearing on actor Imran Khan's petition until November 2. This means the actor will get temporary relief over a government order directing him to leave the country by October 28.
The high court's move comes after the Centre's counsel sought more time and assured the bench that no coercive action would be taken against Khan until November 2.
Khan, who is a US citizen and an OCI cardholder, had moved the high court on October 17, challenging a "Leave India Notice" issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), Mumbai. The FRRO also issued a show-cause notice to Khan, demanding an explanation regarding why his OCI status should not be revoked.
The actor, who is the nephew of actor Aamir Khan, claimed that he did not take part in the protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai on October 10.
The protest was called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The actor also claimed in his plea that he had no affiliation with the CJP.
Khan, 43, who was detained during the protest, sought directions form the court to restrain authorities from taking any coercive action against him.
“Not only is the notice manifestly disproportionate, if implemented, it would reduce the very principles of natural justice that the authorities are duty-bound to uphold, to nothing but a dead letter," the petition said.
