The Bombay High Court on Monday reserved the order in a batch of petition challenging validity of Central govt circulars which enables issuance of Lookout Circulars (LOC) against Indian citizens and foreigners.
Several petitions were filed challenging the validity of at least eight circulars/ office memoranda (OM) issued by the central government regarding the guidelines for issuance of Look Out Circulars (LOCs) in respect of Indian citizens and foreigners.
One such amended circular which has been challenged was issued in September 2018 under which “economic interest of India” can be a ground for issuance of LOC. This would restrain a person from travelling if the departure of such person could be detrimental to the economic interest of the country.
Another amendment was carried out in October 2018, by which the chairman, State Bank of India/ managing director and chief executive officers of all other public sector banks may also request the immigration authorities to issue LOCs.
