WP/41744/2026 of DHILIPKUMAR S Vs THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA on 15 October 2026

Order

This writ petition is filed for the following relief: “To direct the 2nd respondent to defreeze / unblock the petitioner’s bank account bearing No.9943509703 with Airtel payments Bank Central Branch, Gurugram, Haryana based on the email representation made to 2nd respondent bank dated 19.09.2026 by holding dispute/lien amount.”

2. The petitioner would submit that he is maintaining a savings Bank Account bearing No. 9943509703 with the 2nd respondent. The 2nd respondent without following any due procedure and without affording any opportunity to the petitioner had frozen his bank account.

WP No. 41744 of 2026

3. The petitioner submits that he was informed by the respondent bank that three cyber complaints have been registered against him. The first complaint came from the Thiruvannamalai Cyber Crime Police Station in Tamil Nadu. Because of this, the bank placed a freeze on a disputed amount of Rs.499/-. This money came from a sum of Rs.5,161.25/-. The Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police issued a second cyber request. Because of this, a hold was placed on a disputed amount of Rs.399.99/-. This money came from a larger transaction total of Rs.10,459.73/-. The third request was made by the Chittorgarh Cyber Crime Police Station, Rajasthan for the disputed amount of Rs.4,999.99/- for a larger amount of Rs.2,649.46/-. However, the respondent bank has freezed the entire account of the petitioner. Aggrieved thus, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Heard the learned counsels on the either side and perused the records.

5. It is seen that in similar circumstances, this Court had observed that when the alleged fraudulent amount is quantified, the freezing of the whole account cannot be done by the Bank. Similar view was taken by the learned Single Judge of this Court in W.P.(MD).No.15684 of 2024 dated 15.07.2024, wherein, it was held that: “3. The respondent is permitted to retain the aforesaid

WP No. 41744 of 2026

sum by marking lien on the petitioner's account. Subject to such marking of lien, the petitioner is permitted to operate their bank account. The freezing effected on the petitioner's bank account is lifted to the aforesaid extent. This writ petition stands allowed . No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.”

6. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed with the following directions:- (a). The respondent / Bank shall mark a lien only for a sum of Rs.5,898.98/- (Rs.499+ 399.99 + 4999.99) and permit the petitioner to operate the account forthwith:

(b) . The petitioner is at liberty to move the concerned Jurisdictional Magistrate for recall of the lien marked over the said amount of Rs.5,898.98/-, if he is so advised.

7. No costs. 15-10-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No KAN

WP No. 41744 of 2026

To

1. The Reserve Bank of India Fort Glacis No.16 Rajaji Salai, Chennai-600 001

2. Branch Manager Airtel Payments Bank, Central Branch, Airtel Centre, Plot No.16, Udyog Vihar, Industrial Area Phase-4, Gurugram, Haryana-122015

3. Inspector of Police Thiruvannamalai Cyber Crime P.S. District Police Office, Vengikkal, Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu. -606604

4. Inspector of Police Hyderabad Cyber Crime P.S. Central Crime Station Building, Old Commissioner Office, Basheerbagh, Hyderabad, Telangana-500 029

5. Inspector of Police Chittorgarh Cyber Crime P.S. Reserved Police Lines Quarters, Kumbha Nagar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan-312001

WP No. 41744 of 2026

P.T.ASHA J. KAN WP No. 41744 of 2026 15-10-2026