Actor Imran Khan and family released after brief police pickup at Mumbai protest site

UPDATE - follow-up to Imran Khan walks back home after being detained by Mumbai police, Lekha Washington says they were denied to book a vehicle: 'We are all safe': Actor Imran Khan recently walked back home after law enforcement personnel picked him up on Saturday at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai during a police crackdown on a protest called by CJP. He joined the demonstration alongside his girlfriend Lekha Washington and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan. Following their release, Lekha shared videos on social media explaining that officers prevented them from hailing any cabs or vehicles to travel back, forcing them to walk on the road. Zayn posted a photo from inside the police vehicle showing Imran flashing a peace sign, alongside a humorous video where she asked him if he had ever visited a jail. Before his pickup, Imran spoke to reporters and clarified that he joined purely as a local resident to question why public movement was being restricted and why ordinary voices were facing suppression. He stressed that he represented no group or organisation and held no specific demands. Meanwhile, Mumbai law enforcement stated that they picked up more than 400 individuals during the action at the ground. Authorities explained that no proper permission was taken for the gathering, adding that Bombay High Court rules permit protests exclusively at Azad Maidan. Conversely, CJP workers maintained they had emailed requests for permission beforehand but received no reply.

Context

August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai is a historic site known for major historical movements, but modern public gatherings require formal police clearance under local legal guidelines. High court orders in the city usually direct large demonstrations to designated spots like Azad Maidan to manage public order and traffic flow.