LOOKOUT CIRCULAR

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Context - Recently the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed a Lookout Circular (LOC) against a petitioner.

About lookout circular (LOC)

• Lookout circular is a notice to stop any individual wanted by the police, investigating agency or even a bank from leaving or entering the country.
• A large number of agencies can issue lookout circulars;
  • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
  • Enforcement Directorate
  • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
  • Income Tax department
  • State police and intelligence agencies are also authorized to generate LOCs.
• The officer who issues a lookout circular should not be below the rank of a district magistrate or superintendent of police or a deputy secretary in the Union Government.
• Details such as the First Information Report (FIR) number and the court case number are to be mandatorily provided with the name, passport number and other details to issue a lookout circular.
• The LOCs can be modified; deleted or withdrawn only at the request of the originator.
• Banks are also authorized to generate LOCs against persons who could be detrimental to the economic interests of the country.
• Many citizens have moved to courts to get the LOC quashed. The MHA has stated that “LOCs cannot be shown to the subject” at the time of detention nor can any prior intimation be provided.
  • The Home Ministry has recently informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the LOC guidelines are a secret document and the same cannot be shared with the ‘accused’ or any unauthorized stakeholder.
• As per rules and guidelines, a LOC will stay valid for a maximum period of 12 months.
  • It may extend, but only after a fresh request from the agency.

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