What Is The Full Form Of LOC In Law?

LOC full form in law is Look Out Circular. This is a tool used by different authorities in India to watch and limit how people move at international borders like airports and sea ports. Generally, an LOC is issued to prevent the departure of persons being sought by the police or those required to be looked into for the commission of a crime outside the country. It is also used for monitoring such people’s entry and exit from India.

Look Out Circular Summary:

A LOC is an important way of managing the movements of the people required for legal cases or being investigated to ensure they do not skip the country and avoid legal actions.

Legal Implications and Use

LOCs are not specifically outlined through any law but set up by way of various guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs since 1979. The guidelines allow, specifically, the requirement of LOCs from certain authorities, i.e., the Ministry of External Affairs, Interpol, and Central Bureau of Investigation. An LOC is valid for one year unless it has been made for a longer time and requires certain details and reasons for its issuance. The whole process includes making a formal request to the immigration checkpoints, and later, they explain to whoever is in charge the need to watch or limit the person’s travel. Several decisions of the court point to the need for compliance with proper procedures in the serving of LOCs if the same does not infringe on constitutional rights like the right to travel or personal liberty.