The Delhi High Court has resolved a group of 33 petitions, some of which have been pending since 2022, filed by individuals contesting lookout circulars (LOCs) that various authorities had issued against them. In a significant ruling, the court annulled 13 LOCs linked to financial institutions and an additional 16 issued by governmental ministries and investigative bodies, thereby allowing the petitioners to travel without needing prior court approval.
In its ruling dated April 17, which was made public on May 5, the court emphasized that LOCs should not be treated as a standard mechanism for law enforcement or debt recovery, and their issuance must be justified rather than carried out automatically.
Justice Purushaindra Kaurav addressed four additional petitions by directing the petitioners to seek modification or cancellation of their LOCs from the relevant authorities, without invalidating the existing LOCs against them. This directive included notable figures such as Neeraj Singhal, a former promoter of Bhushan Steel, and his spouse Ritu Singhal.
Justice Kaurav clarified that for the 29 cases in which LOCs were quashed, the individuals must submit their travel plans to the respective authority that requested the LOCs—whether that be financial institutions, government ministries, or investigative agencies—prior to any international travel.
Prominent individuals among those contesting the LOCs included former directors of Moser Baer India Ltd, Ratul Puri and his mother Nita Puri, as well as directors of Wave Megacity Centre Pvt. Ltd., Manpreet Singh Chadha and Charanjeet Singh. Additionally, Raghu Rama Krishna, a former YSRCP MP and current Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, was among those who challenged LOCs requested by financial entities.
Sohini Ghosh is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, having recently transitioned to the New Delhi bureau after covering Gujarat for several years. Her reporting primarily focuses on legal matters within the Delhi High Court.
With a background from the Asian College of Journalism, Ghosh has previously worked with ET NOW and is known for her in-depth coverage of constitutional disputes, intellectual property issues, and human rights matters, particularly in technology and healthcare sectors.
During her time in Gujarat, she gained recognition for her thorough reporting on crime, law, and policy, including pivotal cases related to social justice. She has also reported extensively on health-related issues within the state, contributing to significant revelations about hospital practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ghosh’s recent articles reflect her commitment to covering high-stakes legal battles and the intersection of technology and governance. She is well-regarded for making complex legal concepts accessible to a broader audience and continues to uphold a strong focus on human rights and reform within the criminal justice system.
Follow her updates on Twitter at @thanda_ghosh.
