what is look out notice

A Look Out Notice (LOC) is a circular letter used by authorities in India to check whether a traveling person is wanted by the police. It is mostly used at immigration checkpoints at international airports and seaports by the immigration branch. The notice issuing agency must give full identification details of the accused person in an already prescribed format. LOC will not be issued for less than three identity parameters other than the name of the accused. An LOC is issued to make sure that an individual who is absconding or wanted by law enforcement agencies is not able to leave the country. It is opened to search for absconding criminals and also to prevent and monitor effectively the entry or exit of anyone who may be sought by law enforcement authorities. When issued, they are sent to all immigration checkpoints in the country. An LOC is valid for an initial period of one year, but can be extended. The accused person comes to know about such notice only when he/she is stopped or arrested by the immigration authorities at the airport/border etc. . However, sometimes Lookout Notices are issued without complying with all rule rules, and these cases are linked to suspected misuse of the LOC.