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Imran Khan’s partner Lekha Washington has shared a statement, clarifying that they headed to August Kranti Maidan on Saturday to enquire about their friends who had been detained.
Imran Khan’s GF Lekha Washington Clarifies They Went To Enquire About Detained Friends: ‘There Was No Gathering’
Bollywood actor Imran Khan’s girlfriend Lekha Washington has shared her account of what happened when she, Imran, his mother Nuzhat Khan, his cousin Zayn Marie Khan reached Mumbai’s August Kranti Maidan on Saturday, October 10. Lekha shared a statement on Instagram, stating that they had gone to enquire about their detained friends and clarifying that they were present as individuals, not as part of any organisation.
For the unversed, Imran, best known for films such as Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and I Hate Luv Storys, was detained in Mumbai along with Lekha and Zayn on October 10. They were released hours later.
Why Did Imran Khan And Lekha Washington Go To August Kranti Maidan?
According to Lekha Washington, the group reached August Kranti Maidan at around 5 pm to ask about their friends who had been detained. “On Saturday around 5pm, Zayn Marie, Nuzhat (Imran’s mother), my partner Imran, myself and others walked towards August Kranti maidan to ask about friends of ours who had been detained,” she wrote on Instagram.
Lekha claimed there was no gathering taking place when they arrived. She said police barricades had been put up on all sides and a considerable number of media personnel were present. According to her account, the media surrounded Imran and began asking him questions. The ‘Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na’ actor responded by saying that the group had no demands, did not belong to an organisation and was present as a group of individuals.
“Before he could even finish his sentence, with the weight of the media from one side, loud, incessant whistle blowing disrupted everything,” she added.
“A stream of uniformed persons grabbed both Zayn and me, bruising us. They forced us all into the vehicle and then drove us around for a couple of hours. Subsequent to that, they did not allow us to take public transport,” she alleged.
“Hilariously, we were stuck in traffic for a lot of it. The entire evening has been documented in detail. It is important to note that we are individuals in a position of privilege and that far worse is being done to others,” wrote Lekha.
‘I Appreciate Mumbai Police Deeply’, Says Lekha Washington
Meanwhile, Lekha also expressed appreciation for Mumbai Police, based on her personal experience. “The mumbai police has been a beacon of balance, in my personal experience, I appreciate them deeply,” she wrote.
“I believe in equality and respect for all and at some point we must collectively find our voices to speak the truth. Thank you,” she concluded.
Imran Khan On Why He Joined The Protest
Speaking to the media earlier on October 10, Imran said he had attended the protest as a Mumbai resident and was not representing any organisation. He said he wanted to understand why people’s freedom of movement was being restricted and why their voices were being suppressed.
“I don’t have demands. I am here as a citizen, as a person who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted. Why are people’s voices being suppressed? That is why I am here,” the actor said.
#WATCH | Mumbai: Before he was detained by Police, Actor Imran Khan says, “I don’t have demands. I am here as a citizen, as someone who lives in this city. I am here to see why freedom of movement is being restricted—why people’s voices are being suppressed. That is why I am here. I am not in a position to make demands of anyone. Nor am I part of any organization. I am just here as a representative…”— ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2026
He also clarified that he was participating in an individual capacity. “I don’t have any right to demand anything from people. I am not a part of any organisation. I will stand as a representative.”
Why Were Protesters Detained At August Kranti Maidan?
The detention took place during a protest in support of CJP’s call against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
According to the Mumbai Police, more than 400 people were detained. The police said no permission had been sought for the protest and that the Bombay High Court’s directions allow protests to be held only at Azad Maidan.
CJP workers, however, claimed they had emailed the Mumbai Police seeking permission but had received no response.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Actor Imran Khan, his girlfriend Lekha Washington, and his cousin Zayn Marie Khan went to August Kranti Maidan on October 10, 2026, to inquire about friends who had been detained. The demonstration was held in support of a CJP protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, for which police had denied permission.
Ask News18October 12, 2026, 21:01 IST