Imran Khan Gets Temporary Relief from Bombay High Court

Bollywood actor Imran Khan has received temporary relief from the Bombay High Court in a case concerning a notice directing him to leave India. The court has postponed the next hearing to November 2, allowing him to remain in the country until then, following an assurance given by Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh on behalf of the Central Government. During the proceedings, Sunil Kumar, appearing in connection with advocate Subhash Jha’s intervention, questioned whether the civil petition could be heard under the court’s current case-allocation system. He argued that the notice issued by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) fell within the criminal jurisdiction.

Senior advocate V. R. Dhond, representing Imran Khan, countered that the Chief Justice, as the master of the roster, has the authority to allocate cases for hearing. He also questioned whether the party raising the objection was entitled to make such an argument. After hearing both sides, the bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh C. Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna said it would seek the Central Government’s response to the objection. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh requested more time to enable Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was joining the proceedings online from Delhi, to participate. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to November 2. The relief is temporary, and a final decision on the underlying issues is still awaited.