Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya has called on Mumbai Police to investigate actor Imran Khan’s participation in a protest supporting the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). Somaiya has raised questions about the actor’s citizenship and whether he had the necessary permission to take part in the gathering.
The issue came into focus after Mumbai Police detained Imran Khan and several other participants near August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The gathering was organised in support of the CJP’s planned demonstration in New Delhi over alleged electoral roll irregularities and its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Kirit Somaiya Seeks Inquiry Into Imran Khan’s Citizenship
On October 10, Somaiya wrote to Mumbai Police Joint Commissioner Manoj Kumar Sharma, requesting an investigation into the actor’s participation in the protest. The BJP leader questioned whether Khan had obtained the required permission to join the demonstration and asked the police to examine his citizenship status.
Somaiya also took to social media to demand action against the actor, including his deportation. However, the claims concerning Khan’s citizenship and the legality of his participation have not been independently established in the reports cited.
Imran Khan Detained Near August Kranti Maidan
Imran Khan was among several people detained by Mumbai Police as officers restricted access to the protest site. Reports stated that the actor was stopped near Nana Chowk while attempting to join the gathering.
Before being taken away, Khan told reporters that he was not affiliated with any organisation and did not have any specific demands. He described himself as a concerned Mumbai resident who wanted to understand why restrictions had been imposed on people’s movement.
The actor also questioned the police’s handling of the situation, asking why he was being manhandled. In a social media post shared from a police vehicle, he made a light-hearted comment about being taken for a drive.
Mumbai Protest Held in Support of CJP’s Delhi Demonstration
The gathering in Mumbai was organised in solidarity with the CJP’s planned protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. The group has raised concerns over alleged electoral roll irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, while seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Ahead of the gathering, Mumbai Police deployed personnel and set up barricades around August Kranti Maidan to control access to the area. Several participants were detained as authorities moved to prevent the protest from proceeding.
Those reportedly detained included Imran Khan, his girlfriend Lekha Washington and other protesters. The Mumbai gathering took place amid heightened security measures and preventive detentions in Delhi ahead of the CJP demonstration.
As of October 11, 2026, Somaiya’s request for an inquiry had brought renewed attention to questions surrounding Khan’s citizenship and his participation in the protest. Any further action will depend on the police examination of the allegations.