Mumbai: Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kirit Somaiya has called upon the Mumbai Police to take legal action against actor Imran Khan for participating in a demonstration organised in support of the Cockroach Janta Party, questioning whether a "foreign citizen" is permitted to join such political agitations.

In a statement posted on X, Somaiya additionally demanded that the actor face immediate deportation.

Khan was amongst the demonstrators detained by law enforcement personnel at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan on Saturday.

In a formal communication addressed to Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Sharma, Somaiya inquired whether Khan held the legal standing to take part in the protest.

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The BJP politician asserted that Khan holds foreign citizenship and questioned whether the actor had secured official sanction to engage in the demonstration.

He urged the Mumbai police department to examine the matter thoroughly and initiate appropriate steps.

Khan was unavailable for comment regarding the allegations.

The actor had previously posted a message on social media from inside a police transport vehicle, writing: "Apparently, I am going for a drive."

Footage subsequently emerged showing Khan answering a journalist's question while being escorted into the police van regarding his presence at the protest. "I have no demands. I am not part of any organisation," he stated.

Khan was also captured questioning officers: "What have I done? Why am I being manhandled?"

The developments unfolded against the backdrop of an unprecedented security clampdown and the detention of over 7,000 demonstrators on Saturday, including Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijit Dipke, four former chief ministers, and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, which enabled authorities to successfully forestall a planned mass mobilisation at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
PTI