MUMBAI, Nov. 3 -- The Bombay high court on Monday allowed actor Imran Khan, a US citizen and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, to continue staying in India after he tendered an "unconditional apology" for his alleged participation in a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The court was hearing a petition filed by the actor challenging the FRRO's Leave India Notice issued to him on October 15. A division bench of chief justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and justice Advait Sethna said OCI cardholders like Khan are "at the mercy of the country and cannot live here and criticize the country". "You can't act like an Indian citizen," the court told Khan, questioning his presence at a youth-led protest near August Kranti Maidan on October 10, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. Questioning why Khan had attended the protest when he was neither an Indian citizen nor entitled to vote in the country, the judges remarked, "If you were an Indian citizen, it would have been okay, but you're an OCI card holder. You can't act like an Indian citizen. You weren't even remotely connected to the protest." Khan has, however, denied violating the rules, saying no agitation was underway when he reached the spot and that he did not cross the police barricades to enter the protest site. He said he was apprehended after media personnel surrounded him while he was returning to his vehicle. Senior advocate Venkatesh Dhond, appearing for Khan, argued that the action against him was disproportionate, considering he has lived in India for more than four decades. Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh, appearing for the Foreigners Regional Registration Officer (FRRO), opposed Khan's petition, contending that he had participated in multiple illegal protests, given interviews to the press, and posted content on social media that allegedly instigated people. "If I have given you a visa, it is my discretion to ask you to leave. It is an admitted position that he's a USA citizen," he added. During the hearing, the court questioned Khan's presence at a protest site, noting that as a non-citizen, he lacks voting rights. Khan submitted an undertaking citing no criminal antecedents and expressing utmost respect for the Constitution. He clarified he made no demands and was present only to observe why movement was restricted and voices suppressed, affirming he had no affiliation with the organising groups. The bench cautioned Khan against assuming his celebrity status equals Indian citizenship, emphasising his influential position among young followers. While observing that his livelihood was earned in India, the judges reiterated he cannot be put at par with Indian citizens. However, the court indicated that his circumstances did not warrant removal from India. Invoking the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, the bench directed Khan to tender an unconditional apology and furnish an undertaking, adding that a big heart must follow such an apology. The judges warned him against future involvement in political activities, clarifying that while permitted in the United States, OCI cardholders in India lack such rights....