New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has stated it is likely that a Look Out Circular will be issued against Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and other persons accused in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam. But what exactly is this LOC and why has there been a political ruckus around it?
The Look Out Circular (LOC) is a circular letter used by the authorities to check whether a person travelling to abroad is 'wanted' by the police or any agency. The circular can be used in immigration checks at international borders.
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A LOC is often issued to ensure that the person absconding or wanted by the law enforcement agencies does not leave the country.
It is mostly used at the immigration checkpoints by the immigration branch at international airports and seaports.
Thus, any person who has been issued a LOC in his/her name is barred from travelling out of the country as he/she is 'wanted' by the law enforcement agencies of the country. Recently it was clarified by the CBI sources that the LOC against Sisodia and 14 others is likely to be issued soon and said that it is "in process, not issued yet".
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The CBI issued the LOC against Manish Sisodia and 12 others for their alleged involvement in the Delhi Excise policy scam, as a result of which they cannot travel abroad until further orders. In the LOC, the concerned agencies inform the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) regarding an individual who might leave the country without informing law enforcement agencies. BoI then updates the list of LOC to its officers at immigration checkpoints at international airports and seaports.
There are certain categories of LOC like where a person is completely banned from going outside the country and in certain categories, he or she can go but only after taking due permission and informing the concerned law enforcement agency.
Raids were conducted at 21 places in Delhi-NCR including the residence of Manish Sisodia and the premises of four public servants, according to a CBI official. The official said that raids were conducted in locations across 7 states. (ANI)
