Explained: What is a look out notice, and when is it issued?

What is the News?

A Journalist was stopped at Mumbai Airport based on a Look out Circular(LOC) issued by the Enforcement Directorate(ED) which is investigating her in a case of alleged money laundering.

What is Look Out Circular(LOC)?

An LOC is issued to make sure that an individual who is absconding or wanted by law enforcement agencies is not able to leave the country. 

It is mostly used at immigration checkpoints at international airports and seaports by the immigration branch.

In certain cases, the police can approach a court asking for restriction of a person’s movement outside the country when that person is a suspect and there is an apprehension that they may not join the investigation at a later stage.

The person against whom the LOC is issued can challenge the circular and get relief from a court.

Who can issue the LOC?

An LOC can be initiated by a large number of authorized officers, including an:

– officer not below the rank of deputy secretary,

– an officer not below the rank of joint secretary in the state government,

– a district magistrate or superintendent of police,

– designated officers of various law enforcing and security agencies,

– a designated officer of Interpol,

– an officer not below the rank of additional director in the Serious Fraud Investigation Office  and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,

– officers not below the rank of chairman/managing director/chief executive of any public sector bank.

Does an LOC lead to arrest?

Not necessarily. LOCs can be of several types. They can seek to merely stop a person against whom the circular has been issued from travelling outside the country, to prevent a person from entering the country, or inform the concerned investigation agencies. 

Source: This post is based on the article “Explained: What is a look out notice, and when is it issued?” published in Indian Express on 2nd April 2022.