Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 13: BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya has written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs and immigration authorities seeking a Look Out Circular (LOC) against actor Imran Khan and requesting that he be prevented from leaving India until an inquiry into his representation and a police investigation in Mumbai are completed.

In a letter dated October 13, 2026, addressed to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Somaiya urged the ministry to issue an order restricting the actor's departure under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025. He also asked the Bureau of Immigration to open an LOC against Khan and alert the police if he attempts to leave the country.

The request follows a protest held at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to Somaiya's letter, the gathering was held without permission, and Khan attended and actively participated in the demonstration before being detained by Mumbai Police.

The letter states that Gamdevi Police Station registered FIR No. 813 of 2026 in connection with the incident, naming Khan. Somaiya, however, noted that he had not been provided with a copy of the FIR.

In his representation, Somaiya claimed that Khan was reportedly a United States citizen holding an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. He urged the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration to examine whether the actor's participation in the protest warranted action under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

Somaiya had submitted an earlier representation to the ministry, the Bureau of Immigration and the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), Mumbai, on October 12. In his latest letter, he said the representation and the police investigation were still pending.

Explaining his request for an LOC, Somaiya argued that Khan could leave India before the inquiry and police investigation were completed, potentially making it difficult for authorities to secure his presence for questioning, record his statement, serve notices or require him to appear before them.

Citing provisions of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, including Section 7(1) read with Section 7(2)(b), Somaiya requested an order preventing the actor from leaving India while the relevant proceedings remained pending. He also referred to Section 3(2) of the Act and Paragraph 5 of the Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025, in support of his request for departure restrictions.

Somaiya asked the ministry to direct the Bureau of Immigration to open an LOC against Khan under the applicable guidelines. He also urged immigration officials to consider prohibiting the actor's departure under Paragraph 5(2) of the order, arguing that allowing him to leave while the inquiry and investigation were pending would not be in the public interest.

Additionally, he requested that the Bureau of Immigration alert Gamdevi Police Station if Khan attempted to leave the country and provide a written response detailing the action taken.

Copies of the letter were marked to the Commissioner of Police, Greater Mumbai, the senior inspector of Gamdevi Police Station and the FRRO in Mumbai. Somaiya also asked the police to place the letter on record in connection with FIR No. 813 of 2026 and the FRRO to attach it to the record of his October 12 representation.

Somaiya's letter contains requests for official action against Khan but does not establish that an LOC has been issued or that an order restricting the actor's departure has been passed. The requests remain subject to consideration by the competent authorities.