Lookout Circular for ‘missing’ NRI

The LOC has been issued to stop Lahiri from leaving the country,as he is wanted in a case relating to the possession of live ammunition.

Senior police officials said an LOC is issued when there is a possibility of the person concerned leaving the country. Lahiri’s identification details have been provided to immigration officials at airports across the country.

The Delhi Police are taking the help of their counterparts in Kolkata to trace Lahiri. Sources said Lahiri was to leave for Kolkata on Friday morning by a Kingfisher flight,but left by an Indigo Airlines flight later that day. His relatives,however,refused to confirm his arrival in Kolkata.

As reported by Newsline,around midnight on January 19,security agencies had found three unattended bags in the cabin of the courtesy coach that brings passengers from the international terminal. The baggage was opened by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials,who found a pistol magazine with six live rounds of .22 mm inside. CISF officials then handed over Lahiri to the Palam police station.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport),O P Mishra,had earlier said Lahiri had produced a licence that was issued in the US but had expired. Lahiri had told the police he applied for a renewal.

“After completing formalities Lahiri was allowed to go. He was scheduled to board the (Kingfisher) flight on Friday morning but at the last moment left the airport,” a senior Delhi Police officer said. “He had taken a taxi for the Taj Hotel but could not be found there.”

“It has now been learnt that Lahiri had taken an Indigo flight to Kolkata on Friday. If the Kolkata Police trace him,we will send our team to arrest him,” the officer added.

The Delhi Police have registered a case under the Arms Act on Saturday and are consulting legal experts for further action. During the course of detention,Lahiri had complained of chest pain. The airlines officials admitted him to the Apollo medical unit at terminal 1D of the Delhi airport. “He was later shifted to Fortis Hospital,” the doctor said.

Lahiri is a professor at a university in the United States.