Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya has called for the immediate deportation of actor Imran Khan after questioning his participation in a protest against India’s Chief Election Commissioner in Mumbai.
Somaiya has urged the Mumbai Police to investigate the actor’s involvement in the demonstration, arguing that his citizenship status raises questions about whether he was legally permitted to participate in the political gathering.
The controversy erupted on Saturday, October 10, 2026, when Imran Khan was among several people detained by police during a protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai. The demonstration was organised in support of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which was demanding action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Following the incident, Somaiya wrote to Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sharma, seeking clarification about the actor’s legal status and whether he had obtained any necessary permission to participate in the protest.
The former BJP parliamentarian also publicly called for Khan’s deportation, alleging that the actor was a foreign citizen. However, the claim about his citizenship and the legal implications of his participation in the demonstration should be distinguished from independently established facts.
The development has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the protest, the police action against demonstrators and the questions raised about the actor’s involvement.
Why Kirit Somaiya Wants Imran Khan Deported
Somaiya’s demand centres on his allegation that the actor is a foreign national and his questions about whether he was authorised to participate in the political demonstration.
In a letter addressed to Joint Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Sharma, the former BJP MP asked the authorities to examine Khan’s citizenship and determine whether his presence at the protest violated any applicable rules.
Somaiya subsequently reiterated his position publicly, calling for the actor to be deported immediately.
However, the demand represents Somaiya’s position, not an announced deportation decision by the Indian government. The available reports do not establish that the actor has been found to have violated any immigration or other laws.
The controversy has also raised broader questions about the rights of foreign nationals to participate in political activities in India and the legal provisions that may apply to their involvement.
Whether any action will follow depends on the findings of the authorities and the applicable legal requirements.
Actor Detained During Protest at August Kranti Maidan
Imran Khan was detained on Saturday alongside other demonstrators during the protest at August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai.
Police moved against participants gathered at the venue as part of a wider security operation surrounding demonstrations linked to the Cockroach Janata Party.
Videos circulating online showed officers escorting and physically moving the actor towards a police vehicle. The incident attracted attention on social media, with footage of the detention prompting discussions about the treatment of protesters.
Khan later posted a photograph of himself inside a police van, accompanied by the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.”
The remark quickly became a talking point among social media users following the incident.
In another video recorded during his detention, the actor appeared to question the police action and explain his position when asked about his involvement in the demonstration.
He said he had no demands and was not a member of any organisation. He also questioned why officers were handling him roughly.
The actor was subsequently released, according to reports. His detention, however, became a major talking point after Somaiya raised questions about his citizenship and called for his deportation.
What Was the Cockroach Janata Party Protest About?
The demonstration was organised in support of the Cockroach Janata Party, which was demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest formed part of a wider wave of demonstrations against the election chief, with participants gathering at different locations to express their opposition.
Security personnel were deployed at protest sites, including August Kranti Maidan, as authorities moved to control the gatherings and detain demonstrators.
The police operation resulted in the detention of hundreds of people in Mumbai, according to reports about the demonstrations.
The protests also attracted public figures and entertainment personalities, bringing additional attention to the political dispute.
Imran Khan’s presence at the Mumbai demonstration placed him at the centre of a controversy that extended beyond the original protest demands.
While Somaiya has questioned the actor’s participation, Khan’s reported statement that he had no demands and was not affiliated with an organisation adds an important distinction to the account of his involvement.
The circumstances surrounding his attendance and the questions raised by the former BJP MP remain separate issues that authorities would need to examine if a formal investigation proceeds.
Political Controversy Grows After Actor’s Detention
The dispute has brought together several sensitive issues, including freedom of expression, political demonstrations, police conduct and the legal status of individuals participating in public protests.
Somaiya’s demand has placed the actor’s citizenship under scrutiny, but the allegation should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing.
For now, the publicly reported development is that the former BJP MP has asked the Mumbai Police to investigate the matter and clarify whether Khan was legally permitted to participate in the demonstration.
The actor has not been reported as having received a deportation order in connection with the incident.
The police response, any subsequent investigation and the legal assessment of Somaiya’s claims will determine whether the controversy leads to further action.
The incident also demonstrates how the detention of a public figure can quickly attract national attention, particularly when political disagreements and questions about individual rights become part of the discussion.
For Khan, the immediate episode ended with his release from police custody. However, Somaiya’s call for deportation has introduced a new dimension to the controversy, leaving questions about the actor’s legal status and the authorities’ next steps.
