Obscene Videos Case: Lookout Notice Issued For Prajwal Revanna In Hassan Pen Drive Case

The Karnataka government has issued a lookout notice for suspended JDS leader and Hassan MP in connection with the controversial Hassan pen drive case. This development follows the non-appearance of the father-son duo before the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which was established by the Karnataka government led by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah to probe the sexual abuse allegations against the Hassan MP.

Prajwal Revanna had left the country on April 27-28. A lookout notice has been sent to the immigration department of airports to ensure that Prajwal Revanna is taken into custody upon his arrival.

Prajwal Revanna had earlier requested the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for 7 days to attend the hearing and has submitted a request through his advocate Arun G. According to reports, Prajwal Revanna is expected to return to India on May 15, as he has booked a ticket from Frankfurt, Germany to Bengaluru with Lufthansa Airlines for that date.

Meanwhile, a lookout notice (LOC) has been issued to prevent a person wanted by law enforcement agencies from leaving the country. This notice is typically utilised for screening at international airports and seaports. However, in Prajwal's situation, since he was already in Germany, the arrest was planned upon his return to the airport. This has sparked speculation that the action is a tactic to embarrass the JDS and BJP.

Prajwal Revanna left for Germany overnight on April 27-28 using his diplomatic passport, just hours before an SIT was set up to probe the alleged sex scandal.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 1, seeking his intervention to revoke Prajwal Revanna's diplomatic passport and ensure his return to India using central government offices.

HD Revanna has stated that Prajwal will return to India for the investigation when necessary. HD Revanna, who is A1, is also under investigation by the SIT, and a notice has been issued to him as well. He is expected to attend the inquiry today or tomorrow.

What is a look out notice?

Lookout Notices, also known as Lookout Circulars (LOC), are issued to trace absconding criminals and effectively prevent and monitor the entry and exit of individuals who may be required by law enforcement authorities. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issues basic guidelines regarding the publication of LOCs concerning Indian citizens.

If immigration officers of a country have a Lookout Circular against an absconding offender, they can apprehend the person. Such cases are reported in the news when a particular offender is caught at a specific airport or port.

The MHA's guidelines regarding the publication of LOCs for Indian citizens include the following principles:

• The request to issue an LOC must have the approval of an officer not below the rank of Deputy Secretary to the Government of India/Joint Secretary in the State Government/Superintendent of Police at the district level.
• An LOC against any Indian person at all immigration check posts can only be issued in the format prepared by the Home Ministry.
• The agency issuing the notice must provide full identification details of the accused person in a prescribed format. The LOC will not be issued for less than three identity parameters other than the name of the accused.
• Generally, an LOC is valid for one year from the date of issue. However, the originating agency can extend the period before the completion of one year.
• Since 2011, a rule has been in place stating that if no request is made for the extension of the LOC within one year, the concerned Immigration officer is authorized to suspend the LOC.

It's important to note that if Lookout Notices are issued by the Court and Interpol, they do not expire within one year.

Misuse of Lookout Notices has been observed in many cases, where the person against whom the notice is issued is unaware of its existence. Such misuse may lead to mental and physical harassment, and affected individuals can seek compensation through Human Rights Commissions or High Courts, though the process can be lengthy and costly.