The Delhi High Court on 20 March 2026 set aside the Look Out Circular (LOC) that the CBI had opened against NDTV’s former directors, Prannoy Roy and Radhika Roy . Justice Sachin Datta ordered the LOC to be quashed, subject to the Roys’ continued cooperation with the probe. Key Developments Quashing of the LOC issued in 2019 against the Roys. Justice Datta’s order emphasizes that the LOC is void unless the petitioners cooperate with the investigation. The court had earlier, in May 2025, indicated that continuing the LOC would be futile. The CBI defended the LOC, citing the need to monitor the Roys’ movements and the case’s international ramifications. The petition stemmed from two FIR s dated 2 June 2017 and 19 August 2019. Important Facts The Roys had responded to the summons issued in 2019, arguing that their cooperation negated the need for a perpetual LOC. Their counsel highlighted that prolonged investigations without closure disadvantage the accused. Conversely, the CBI’s counsel stressed that the LOC was essential for surveillance, especially given the case’s alleged cross‑border implications. In January 2023, a coordinate bench of the same court remarked that a LOC cannot continue indefinitely and the matter should not linger. UPSC Relevance This judgment touches upon several GS‑2 (Polity) themes: the powers and limits of investigative agencies, the procedural safeguards against indefinite surveillance, and the role of High Courts in checking executive overreach. Understanding the legal instrument of a LOC helps aspirants analyse the balance between law‑enforcement prerogatives and individual rights, a recurring topic in ethics and governance questions. Way Forward While the LOC is now quashed, the CBI may seek a fresh order if new evidence emerges, provided the Roys continue to cooperate. The case also signals to investigative agencies that surveillance tools must be time‑bound and justified, reinforcing judicial oversight. Aspirants should monitor any subsequent orders for insights into how courts interpret “co‑operation” and “perpetuity” in the context of investigative notices.