Kirit Somaiya seeks Look Out Circular against actor Imran Khan, writes to Home Ministry

Mumbai. BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya has written to the Union Home Ministry and the Bureau of Immigration demanding the issuance of a Look Out Circular (LOC) against actor Imran Khan. Somaiya wants that the actor should not be allowed to leave the country until the investigation into the case related to the protest held at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on 10 October and action on his complaint is completed. It is not yet clear whether the authorities have issued any order on this demand.

What has been said in the letter

In a letter written to Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on 13 October, Somaiya has stated that Imran Khan is named in FIR number 813/2026 registered at Mumbai's Gamdevi police station. According to him, the investigation into this matter and action on the complaint filed by him are still pending. Somaiya also mentioned that he has not received a copy of the FIR.

Somaiya has requested the Bureau of Immigration to open an LOC against Imran Khan and inform the Gamdevi police if the actor attempts to leave India. He argues that if the actor is a foreign national, his departure from the country before the investigation is complete could create difficulties in questioning, recording statements, serving notices, or ensuring his appearance. The letter cites sections 7(1), 7(2)(b), and 3(2) of the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, and paragraph 5 of the Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025. Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the Senior Inspector of Gamdevi police station, and the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Mumbai. Somaiya has also asked the authorities to provide information in writing regarding the action taken on his demand.

Questions raised on citizenship

In the letter, Somaiya has claimed that Imran Khan is allegedly a US citizen and holds an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. On this basis, he has demanded that the possibility of action under Section 7D of the Citizenship Act, 1955, and the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, be investigated in the case of his alleged participation in the protest. He had also submitted a complaint to the Home Ministry, the Bureau of Immigration, and the FRRO on 12 October. These are Somaiya's allegations and claims. They could not be independently verified, and the final decision rests with the concerned authorities.

What happened on 10 October

According to reports, a protest was scheduled at August Kranti Maidan on 10 October in support of a demonstration being held in Delhi by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). It was regarding the demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. According to the Mumbai Police, more than 400 people were detained there. Imran Khan was among them. According to reports, he was released later. Somaiya alleges that the necessary permission for the gathering was not obtained and that Imran Khan actively participated in it.

During his detention, Imran Khan told the media that he was not part of any organization. He said that he had come as a citizen living in Mumbai to see why a situation of restricting people's movement and suppressing voices had arisen. He had also denied making any demands. The actor's response to Somaiya's letter and the citizenship-related allegations had not been received by the time this report was written.

What next

An LOC is usually issued at the request of the authorized officer associated with the investigation. Therefore, it remains to be seen what stance the Home Ministry, the Bureau of Immigration, or the Mumbai Police take on Somaiya's letter. Being named in an FIR does not mean that guilt is proven. Information regarding the status of the police investigation in the case and the sections of the FIR has not yet been made public.