Red Corner Notices and Look Out Notices are important tools used by law enforcement agencies to track and apprehend individuals across borders. While both serve similar purposes of locating persons of interest, they differ significantly in their scope, issuing authorities, and jurisdictional reach.
Red Corner Notice
A Red Corner Notice (RCN) is issued by Interpol at the request of a member country to seek the location and arrest of wanted persons internationally. Key points about RCNs:
- Issued by Interpol for serious crimes like murder, sexual offenses, and financial crimes
- Requests law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person
- Based on a valid national arrest warrant or court decision
- Contains identifying information like name, photo, fingerprints, and nature of crimes
- Circulated to all 195 Interpol member countries
- Does not guarantee arrest, as each country decides how to act on the notice
Look Out Notice
A Look Out Notice (LON) or Look Out Circular (LOC) is issued by Indian law enforcement agencies to monitor or prevent a person’s movement across borders. To understand what is look out notice, let’s check key aspects:
- Issued by domestic agencies like immigration authorities or police
- Used to track entry/exit of persons wanted for questioning or legal proceedings
- Primarily for domestic use within the issuing country
- Can request stopping a person from leaving the country
- May lead to detention at immigration checkpoints
- Contains basic identity details and reason for the notice
- Not circulated internationally like RCNs
Issuing Authorities
Red Corner Notices are issued exclusively by Interpol at the request of a member country or an authorized international entity. The request must be based on a valid national arrest warrant or court order from the requesting country. Interpol’s General Secretariat in Lyon, France manages the issuance and circulation of Red Corner Notices. Before issuing, Interpol reviews all Red Notice requests for compliance with its rules and regulations.
Look out notice is issued by national authorities within a country.
- Ministry of Home Affairs
- Ministry of External Affairs
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
- Central Board of Direct Taxes
- Customs and Income Tax Departments
- Intelligence Bureau
- National Investigation Agency
- State Police departments
Jurisdictional Reach
RCNs are circulated to all 195 member countries of Interpol, making them effective tools for international law enforcement cooperation. Each member country decides the legal value of an RCN and the extent to which their law enforcement authorities can act on it. Interpol itself does not have the authority to compel arrests; this decision is left to the discretion of the member countries.
LONs are circulated to various entry and exit points within the issuing country, such as airports, seaports, and border crossings, to monitor and restrict the movements of individuals listed in the notice. National authorities have the power to detain or prevent the listed individuals from leaving the country based on the notice. The enforcement of LONs is confined to the jurisdiction of the issuing country.
Seeking International Lawyers
If you find yourself facing issues related to a Red Corner Notice or Look Out Notice, it’s crucial to seek professional legal assistance promptly. These matters can have serious implications for your freedom of movement, reputation, and legal status. Our International lawyers in India are well-versed in handling such cases and can provide you with expert consultation and representation. Whether you need guidance on challenging a notice, understanding your rights, or navigating the legal complexities involved, our team is here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact our law firm for a confidential consultation to discuss your specific situation and explore the best course of action.
