Lookout Notice also known as Lookout Circular (LOC) is a circular letter used by immigration officials to prevent an accused from leaving the country. Lookout Notices or Circular is used in nabbing the wanted people or criminals at the international borders, international airports, maritime areas and Ports etc.
• For an e.g. Central Bureau of Investigation has issued look out notice to the former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in the INX media case. The Lookout Circulars (LOC)/Notices are issued to trace the absconding criminals.
This type of notice can also be issued to prevent and monitor the entry or exit of persons who may be wanted by the different law enforcement agencies of the country like CBI and Enforcement Directorate.
The basic guidelines (regarding the publication of the LOCs in relation to Indian citizens) are issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
If the immigration officers of a country have Lookout Circular against any absconding offender then the absconding person can be nabbed by the officer. As we randomly listen the news that a particular offender is caught on a particular airport or port.
Please read my article on LOC and like and share.
Regards
ALOK VERMA
Criminal Defense Advocate