The Delhi High Court on Friday quashed a look-out circular (LOC) issued in January 2021 against NDTV founders Prannoy and Radhika Roy following registration of cases against them by the CBI.
Justice Sachin Datta said, “The continued operation of the LOC against the petitioners amounts to an unjustified curtailment of their fundamental right to personal liberty.
“What assumes significance is that the LOC has remained in force for a period of more than five years. The record further reveals that subsequent to the registration of the FIR, the petitioners have never been summoned by the investigating agency to join investigation,” the court noted.
The court, however, ordered Prannoy and Radhika to appear before the investigating authority, as and when required or directed, and render full cooperation in any ongoing proceeding and investigation.
In the present case, FIR was registered by CBI on August 19, 2019, against the petitioners and certain other co-accused persons. Pursuant thereto, an LOC was issued against the petitioners at the request of the CBI through the Bureau of Immigration with effect from January 11, 2021, which continues to remain operative even as on date.
