The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday set aside a Look-Out Circular (LOC) issued against a Dubai-based electrical technician accused in a matrimonial dispute, holding that the police acted mechanically and without legal justification. The court said such coercive measures cannot be used casually in dowry-related cases, especially when the accused has cooperated with the investigation.
Background of the Case
The writ petition was filed by Lagubeeru Venkata Arun Kiran, who works as an electrical technician with a private company in Dubai. He married his wife in February 2021, and the couple has a child.
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The dispute began after matrimonial differences led to multiple legal proceedings. The wife first approached the court under the Domestic Violence Act. This was followed by divorce and maintenance petitions filed by both sides before the Family Court in Visakhapatnam.
In April 2025, the wife lodged a criminal complaint at the Mahila Urban Police Station, Visakhapatnam. The police registered a case alleging cruelty and dowry harassment under Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (earlier Section 498-A IPC), along with Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The petitioner appeared before the police, secured bail, and returned to Dubai. A charge sheet was later filed, and the criminal case was taken on file by the trial court.
How the Look-Out Circular Came Into Play
In January 2026, when the petitioner returned from Abu Dhabi to attend a family court hearing, airport authorities stopped him, citing an active Look-Out Circular. He was released later after furnishing sureties but was unable to travel back immediately.
The petitioner told the High Court that the LOC prevented him from rejoining duty on time and that continued restraint would cost him his overseas job.
Court’s Observations
Justice K. Sreenivasa Reddy noted that the petitioner had consistently cooperated with the investigation and court proceedings. There was no non-bailable warrant or coercive process pending against him.
The court observed that a Look-Out Circular directly interferes with a person’s personal liberty and freedom of movement. “By virtue of opening of the Look-Out Circular, personal liberty of the person is curtailed,” the bench said.
The judge also remarked that in recent times, police have been issuing LOCs routinely in matrimonial cases without examining whether the accused is evading the law. “On mere registration of a case under Section 498-A, opening of LOC will affect the career of the accused,” the court observed.
Legal Principles Applied
Referring to earlier High Court rulings, the bench reiterated that LOCs are meant for exceptional situations-such as threats to national security, economic interests, or cases involving grave offences.
The court pointed out that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ guidelines allow issuance of LOCs only when a person’s departure from India would be detrimental to the country’s sovereignty, security, or public interest. The petitioner’s case did not fall under any of those categories.
“The offence alleged is not so grave that the petitioner should be prevented from travelling abroad for employment,” the judge noted.
Final Decision
Allowing the writ petition, the Andhra Pradesh High Court quashed the Look-Out Circular issued against the petitioner. The court held that continuing the LOC would be unnecessary and unjustified, given the facts of the case.
There was no order as to costs, and all pending applications in the matter were closed.
Case Title: Lagubeeru Venkata Arun Kiran vs Union of India & Others
Case No.: Writ Petition No. 2269 of 2026
Decision Date: 04 February 2026
