LOC ought to be used only when person evading probe: HC

A look out circular (LOC)should to be used only when a person is evading investigation as it seriously affects the fundamental rights of a citizen who is restrained from travelling, the Delhi High Court has said.

The ruling by the high court came while allowing a former Punjab National Bank CMD to return to the UK after being restrained here for more than a year in connection with two CBI cases, including the one against Kingfisher Airlines.

The court said: "The instrument of a LOC is only to be used in an urgent situation where a person is found to have been evading the process of investigation. The investigating agency must be circumspect in using this instrument, as it seriously affects the fundamental rights of the citizen, who is restrained from travelling."
It issued the direction after noting that that "there was no urgent requirement for the petitioner to be confined in this country."