Madras High Court
WP CRL./2122/2026 of P.Sakthivel Vs The Reserve Bank of India on 16 October 2026
WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 16-10-2026
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE V. LAKSHMINARAYANAN
WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026
CNR:{HCMA011919672026}
P.Sakthivel
S/o. Late Paneerselvam,
No.147, South Street,
Pothiramangalam,
Cuddalore District-606111.
..Petitioner
Vs
1. The Reserve Bank of India
Rep. by its Governor,
Head Office at,
16th Floor, Central Office Building,
Shahid Bhagat Singh road,
Mumbai-400 001.
2. The Additional Director General of Police Cyber Crime Wing, No.3, Dr.Natesan Road, Police Training College Campus, 3rd Floor, Cyber Crime Wing, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083.
3. The Regional Director
Reserve Bank of India,
Fort Glacis, No.16, Rajaji Salai,
Chennai-600 001.
4. The Branch Manager
Indian Bank,
Pattur Branch, Cuddalore District.
5. The Inspector of Police
Bhilai, Sector 6,
Chhattisgarh State.
WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026
6. The Inspector of Police
Kesthur Police Station,
Mandya, Karnataka.
7. The Inspector of Police
Vimanal Police Station,
Pune,
Maharastra State.
..Respondents
To issue a Writ of Mandamus or any other appropriate Writ, order or direction in the nature of a Writ, directing the Respondents, particularly the 4th Respondent to consider the Petitioners representation dt.15.07.2026 and consequently defreeze the Savings Bank Account bearing Account No.6354592308,IFSC Code-IDIB000P216 standing in the name of the Petitioners deceased father, Late Paneerselvam, by permitting withdrawal of the undisputed amount after retaining the alleged disputed amount, if required, in accordance with law, and consequently direct the 4th Respondent Bank to permit the legal heirs of the deceased account holder to operate the said account and release the lawful balance.
For Petitioner :
Mr.Krishnamoorthy S
For Respondents :
Ms.Rexy Josepine Mary for
Mr.C.Mohan for
M/s.King And Partridge for R1
Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar
Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu
(Criminal Side) For R2 And R5 To R7
No appearance for R4
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WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026
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Order
It is the claim of the petitioner that on account of certain complaints lodged before the respondents 5 to 7, his father’s account with the Indian Bank, Pattur Branch, Cuddalore District has been frozen. The petitioner’s father passed away on 19.09.2025. He secured certificates and went to the bank for the purpose of its operation. It was at that time, he came to know about the Debit Freeze order. He gave a representation to defreeze the account. As it was not acted upon, he is before this Court.
2. This court had issued notice to the Indian Bank and to the RBI. It also called upon Mr.S.Yogaraja Sekar to get in touch with the respondents 5 to 7 and to submit a report.
3. Mr.Yogaraja Sekar reports that despite the Emails sent on 01.09.2026 and on 21.08.2026, there has been no response from the respondents 5 to 7.
4. A perusal of the paper reveals that the attachment is to an extent of Rs.37,998/-. The petitioner states that his father had as much as Rs.80,000/- in his account. As there is no representation on the side of the Indian Bank, this court directs the fourth respondent to permit the petitioner to withdraw the balance amount, retaining a lien only to Rs.37,998 /-. In case 90 days has
WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026
expired from the date of creation of the lien, it is up to the bank, to apply the SOP evolved by the National Cyber Crime Reporting Bureau and decide whether to defreeze the account and permit the petitioner to withdraw the entire amount.
5. The writ petition ordered accordingly. 16-10-2026 nl Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No
WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026
To
1. The Reserve Bank of India Rep. by its Governor, Head Office at, 16th Floor, Central Office Building, Shahid Bhagat Singh road, Mumbai-400 001.
2. The Additional Director General of Police Cyber Crime Wing, No.3, Dr.Natesan Road, Police Training College Campus, 3rd Floor, Cyber Crime Wing, Ashok Nagar, Chennai-600 083.
3. The Regional Director Reserve Bank of India, Fort Glacis, No.16, Rajaji Salai, Chennai-600 001.
4. The Branch Manager Indian Bank, Pattur Branch, Cuddalore District.
5. The Inspector of Police Bhilai, Sector 6, Chhattisgarh State.
6. The Inspector of Police Kesthur Police Station, Mandya, Karnataka.
7. The Inspector of Police Vimanal Police Station, Pune, Maharastra State.
8. The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras
WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026
V.LAKSHMINARAYANAN J. nl WP Crl. No. 2122 of 2026 16-10-2026