Utmost love for India: What Imran Khan said in unconditional apology to Bombay HC

Actor Imran Khan submitted an unconditional apology and undertaking to the Bombay High Court. He denied joining the protest and pledged to avoid such gatherings in future.

In Short

• Imran Khan apologises unconditionally to Bombay High Court
• Claims he was only observing protest, not participating
• Promises not to join or promote future protests

Actor Imran Khan has expressed his "utmost love and respect" for India and its Constitution while tendering an unconditional apology to the Bombay High Court over his alleged participation in a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai. The actor, who holds US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, has also promised not to participate in any protest in the future, either directly or indirectly.

In an affidavit submitted before the Bombay High Court on Monday, Khan said he had no intention of participating in the demonstration and had visited the protest site only to see what was happening. He maintained that he had neither made any demands nor intended to associate himself with the agitation.

"I have utmost love and respect for this great nation and its Constitution," Khan said in his affidavit, adding that he had spent 40 of his 42 years in India and had always respected the country's laws.

His legal team, MZM Legal, submitted the actor's signed unconditional apology and an undertaking before a bench comprising Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Sethna.

'I SHALL NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PROTEST IN FUTURE'

In his undertaking to the court, Khan assured that he would stay away from protests and would not encourage or influence anyone else to participate in such demonstrations.

"I shall not participate in any protest in the future, nor shall I directly or indirectly influence or instigate others to participate in any such protest," the actor said.

Explaining his conduct, Khan said he had strictly followed the law throughout his life and had contributed to the country through his professional work, tax payments and employment generation.

"In the last 42 years of my life, 40 of which have been spent in India, I have strictly adhered to the law and honoured the laws of this great nation in their letter and spirit," he said.

"My life, profession and affiliation are all confined to this great nation," the affidavit read.

SAYS HE WAS ONLY A SPECTATOR AT PROTEST SITE

The actor also sought to clarify his presence at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan, where a demonstration was held on October 10 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Khan said he had no intention of joining the protest and had only gone there to witness the developments.

"I had no intent," he said, maintaining that he had never raised any demands or participated in the agitation.

The controversy began after Khan was briefly detained by the Mumbai Police during the demonstration, which was organised in solidarity with an agitation by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), demanding the CEC's resignation.

Following the incident, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) issued a 'Leave India' notice directing the actor to leave the country by October 28. The notice warned that deportation proceedings could follow if he failed to comply. The actor was also served a separate show-cause notice seeking an explanation on why his OCI status should not be revoked.

WHAT BOMBAY HIGH COURT SAID TO IMRAN KHAN

During Monday's hearing, the Bombay High Court questioned Khan's participation in the protest, observing that the fundamental right to protest under Article 19 of the Constitution is available to Indian citizens and not OCI cardholders.

The bench said Khan, being a US citizen, could not claim the same rights as Indian citizens and questioned his connection with an agitation concerning the country's electoral process.

"You (Khan) had no right to participate in a protest of such nature. You have no connection with the SIR. The right to protest is not available to an OCI cardholder," the court observed.

The bench also remarked that the actor should consider acquiring Indian citizenship if he was keen on participating in protests in the country.

The court, however, urged the authorities to consider his long association with India and show magnanimity, given that he had lived in the country since childhood and built his professional career here.

"He (Khan) is ready to tender an unconditional apology. He has been in India since childhood. Show some magnanimity and a big heart now. We have to be 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family)," the bench said.

The court also observed that the actor's social media posts following his release from police detention could influence his young followers.

FRRO NOTICE ON HOLD, NEXT HEARING ON DECEMBER 7

Khan had approached the Bombay High Court challenging the FRRO's 'Leave India' notice, describing it as "illegal, arbitrary, perverse and drastic". He sought the quashing of the notice and protection against coercive action by the authorities.

The high court extended its earlier interim order keeping the FRRO notice in abeyance until the next hearing on December 7. It also directed the FRRO and the Maharashtra government to file their affidavits in response to the actor's petition by then.

The proceedings will continue on December 7, when the court will take up Khan's challenge to the notice.

- Ends