Bollywood actor Imran Khan and his girlfriend, Lekha Washington, were detained by Mumbai Police during a protest linked to the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) on October 10, 2026. Imran’s cousin, actor Zayn Marie, was also detained during the demonstration at August Kranti Maidan.
The incident attracted attention after videos and photographs of the actors inside a police van circulated on social media. The trio were released hours later and shared updates about their experience.
Why Were Imran Khan and Lekha Washington Detained?
The actors had joined demonstrators supporting the CJP’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The movement has raised allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for accountability.
Imran Khan told reporters that he had joined the gathering as a citizen. He said he wanted to understand why people’s freedom of movement was being restricted.
According to NDTV, Mumbai Police said permission had not been obtained for the gathering at August Kranti Maidan. The police action was part of efforts to prevent unauthorised gatherings.
Lekha Washington Shares Updates on Social Media
Lekha Washington shared updates from the police vehicle after being detained. She told her followers that she did not know where they were being taken and asked people to follow their location.
Zayn Marie also posted footage from inside the vehicle. Her posts documented the group’s experience and quickly drew attention online.
Imran Khan later shared a photograph from the police van with the caption, “Apparently I’m going for a drive.” The post prompted reactions from fans who recognised the actor from his earlier films.
What Happened After Their Release?
Imran Khan, Lekha Washington and Zayn Marie were released hours after their detention. However, Lekha alleged that they faced difficulties arranging transport to return home.
In social media updates, she claimed they were unable to book a cab because drivers were allegedly being threatened. These claims were shared by Lekha and have not been presented here as independently established findings.
The incident continued to attract attention after the trio posted updates confirming that they were safe.
What Is the CJP Protest About?
The Cockroach Janata Party called for a demonstration demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protest concerns allegations of voter-list irregularities during the SIR process and changes involving Form 6, which is used for voter registration.
The movement’s allegations have prompted demonstrations and political reactions in different parts of the country.
Mumbai Police maintained that permission had not been sought for the gathering at August Kranti Maidan. CJP supporters, meanwhile, said they had contacted authorities by email but had not received a response.
Imran Khan’s Return to the Headlines
Imran Khan became widely known after starring in the 2008 romantic comedy Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. He later appeared in films such as Delhi Belly, I Hate Luv Storys and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.
During the detention, Zayn Marie made a humorous reference to his debut film, which includes a memorable jail sequence. The reference added an unexpected entertainment angle to an otherwise tense incident.
Conclusion
Imran Khan, Lekha Washington and Zayn Marie were detained during a CJP-linked protest in Mumbai and released hours later. Their social media posts brought wider attention to the incident and Lekha’s allegations about difficulties returning home.
The episode has also drawn attention to the wider protest over electoral-roll revision. The police’s explanation, the protesters’ claims and the actors’ accounts provide different perspectives on the events.
