11 October,2026 11:11 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Kirit Somaiya. Pic/X
Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has urged Mumbai Police to investigate actor Imran Khan's participation in a protest in the city, claiming that the actor is a foreign citizen and questioning whether he was legally permitted to join the demonstration.
In a post on X, Somaiya said the actor should be deported, while seeking clarity on whether he had obtained the necessary permission to participate in the protest organised in support of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
In a letter to Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Sharma, Somaiya questioned whether Khan was legally entitled to participate in the agitation. He claimed that the actor was a foreign citizen and called on the police to verify his citizenship status and examine whether any rules had been violated.
Somaiya urged the police to investigate the matter and take appropriate action. Khan was unavailable for comment on the allegations.
Khan was among the protesters detained by Mumbai Police at August Kranti Maidan on Saturday during a demonstration linked to the CJP's demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Following his detention, the actor shared a post from what appeared to be a police van, writing, "Apparently, I am going for a drive."
A video that subsequently surfaced showed Khan responding to a reporter while he was being taken into a police vehicle. He denied having any specific demand or affiliation with an organisation.
"I have no demands. I am not part of any organisation," he said.
Khan was also heard questioning the police action, asking, "What have I done? Why am I being manhandled?"
The demonstration was held in support of the CJP's demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The protest was part of a wider mobilisation planned in Delhi at Jantar Mantar, where opposition groups and activists sought to raise concerns about the electoral roll revision process.
Delhi witnessed extensive security arrangements on Saturday as police moved to prevent demonstrators from reaching Jantar Mantar. Police sources said more than 7,000 people were detained at multiple locations during the operation.
Those detained included CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke, several opposition figures and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, according to the supplied report. Four former chief ministers were also reported to have been detained while attempting to join the protest.
(With inputs from PTI)
