Imran Khan apologised for SIR protest; cousin faces OCI status scrutiny

Two days after actor Imran Khan apologised for participating in the Mumbai SIR protests and submitted an undertaking not to take part in any future demonstrations, the Mumbai Police has approached the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) seeking verification of his cousin and fellow actor Zyan Marie Khan’s Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status.

The move follows the registration of an FIR against Zayn Khan, a US citizen, for participating in an October 10 protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in Mumbai. The demonstration was organised by Tushar Gandhi’s organisation, Hum Bharat Ke Log. Both actors were detained from the protest site.

Following their detention, the Mumbai Police’s South Region wrote to the FRRO seeking verification of the OCI status of both actors.

“As part of the procedure, the police had written to the FRRO stating that their OCI status should be checked,” a police officer said.

On October 14, the FRRO issued a Leave India Notice to Imran Khan. Two days later, the Mumbai Police informed the FRRO that Zayn Khan held an OCI card and sought verification of her status.

“The regional office wrote to the FRRO stating that an FIR had been registered against her and that her OCI status must be checked,” the officer said.

The FRRO subsequently examined the OCI status of both Imran and Zayn Khan.

On Monday, November 2, the Bombay High Court directed Imran Khan to tender an “unconditional apology”, observing that OCI cardholders do not have the right to participate in protests.

According to the Mumbai Police, Zyan Marie Khan was born in Mumbai but holds an OCI card.

“She was born in Mumbai but is a US OCI cardholder. The FRRO will check her OCI status,” a police officer said.

However, Imran Khan’s lawyer told The Indian Express that Zayn has not yet been served any notice by the FRRO.