Rajasthan High Court issues guidelines on Look out Circulars (LOCs)

The court was hearing a plea challenging an LOC issued by the Bureau of Immigration against a man in connection with a matrimonial dispute case. 

The Rajasthan High Court criticized the indiscriminate use of LOCs by investigating agencies without proper justification, emphasizing that they must align with principles of natural justice.

Further, the court issued guidelines for the issuance of LOCs, that it should only be issued when there is clear evidence or an ongoing investigation and must have a validity period subject to periodic review.

Individuals must be informed about the issuance of an LOC unless it disrupts an ongoing investigation. The court observed that arbitrary use of LOCs could lead to misuse and infringe on fundamental rights, hence directing the withdrawal of the LOC.