M/S.S.K.R.Industeis v. The Reserve Bank Of India
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 30-07-2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH
1. M/s.S.K.R.Industries Rep By Its Partner, V.Sathishkanna, Office At No.268, Thandalam Service Road, Kovur, Chennai- 128.
2.M.Thangaraj Partner, SKR Industries, Office At No.268, Thandalam Service Road, Kovur, Chennai-128.
Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Reserve Bank Of India Regional Office, Fort Glacis , Rajaji Salai, Chennai -600 001.
2.Canara Bank Ramapuram Branch, No.5, Valluvar Salai, Gokulam Colony, Ramapuram, Chennai- 89.
3.SOUNDARAJAN Partner, M/s.S.K.R. Industries, Residing A No.1/2, Balambigai Nagar, 1st Main Road, Ramapuram, Chennai-089.
Respondent(s)
PRAYER Writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd Respondent to immediately de- freeze the current account numbers 3392201000071 and 3392261000014 (CC-OD) maintained by the petitioner firm and pass orders.
For Petitioner(s): Mr.Sam Jayaraj Houston for M/s.Sarvabhauman Associates For Respondent(s):
Mrs. S.R.Sumathy For R2 Dt 22/4/25 Mr.C.Mohan Ms.A.Rexy Josephine Mary for M/s.King And Partridge For R1 Dt.25/07/2025
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for the issue of writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to defreeze the bank account maintained by the petitioner firm in the 2nd respondent bank. 2.
The 2nd respondent has filed a counter affidavit. The relevant portions are extracted hereunder :-
4. I humbly submit that it is true that the petitioner namely M/s. S.K.R Industries, a partnership firm is maintaining A/c No. 3392201000071 and A/c No. 3392261000014 with Canara Bank, Ramapuram Branch.
5. I humbly submit that as per the documents submitted by the petitioners. Bank has knowledge that M/s. S.K.R Industries is constituted as a partnership firm with its partners Mr. V. Sathishkanna, Mr. M. Thangaraj and Mr. Soundarajan. The 1st Petitioner namely M/s. S.K.R Industries is operating bank A/c Nos 3392201000071 and 3392261000014 since 2011.
6. I humbly submit that on 15.02.2025, this respondent bank received a letter from one of the partners namely Mr. Soundarajan requesting this respondent bank to stop the operations of the bank accounts. In strict following of the banks extant guidelines this respondent bank stopped the operations of the A/c. Nos. 3392201000071 and 3392261000014 standing in the name of M/s. S.K.R Industries and also communicated such stoppage of operation of the above said accounts to the following mail IDs skr.industries@yahoo.com, thangarajm@gmail.com, v.sathishka nna@ymail.com, It is extracted as below:
We inform that we have received a representation from Sri Soundararajan, one of the partners of the company on 15.02.2025 to stop the operations of the bank accounts. As per bank guidelines, if any dispute with the partners, the operations in the account needs to stopped. Hence, we stop the operations in the accounts temporarily. We request you to resolve the issue among yourselves and bring the concurrence of all the partners to proceed further."
Mail dated 18.02.2025
7. I humbly submit that this respondent bank has personal, direct and indirect interest in the affairs of the petitioner firm, but as per bank prescribed guidelines this respondent bank is bound to instruct stoppage of operations once there is any conflict among its partners with regard to the operation of the accounts by the other partners hence, this respondent bank has rightly requested the partners who are the petitioners and third respondent herein to resolve respondent herein to resolve the issues among themselves and furnish
documents showing all the partners consensus to operate the accounts standing in the name of the partnership firm. 3.
In the considered view of this Court, the respondent bank has stopped the firm from operating the bank account only based on an objection that was raised by one of the partner, who had sent a representation on 15.02.2025. Obviously, there is a dispute among the partners and therefore, such a dispute can be resolved only by approaching the competent Civil Court. One partner cannot issue a letter to the bank and stop the firm from operating the bank accounts.
4.
In the light of the above discussion, there shall be a direction to the 2nd respondent bank to permit the firm to operate the bank account maintained in the 2nd respondent bank. If the aggrieved partner has any grievance, he has to approach the competent Court and work out his remedy.
5.
This writ petition is disposed of with the above directions. No costs.
30-07-2025 rka
Index:Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Internet:Yes To 1.The Reserve Bank Of India Regional Office, Fort Glacis , Rajaji Sala, Chennai -600 001.
2.Canara Bank Ramapuram Branch, No.5, Valluvar Salai, Gokulam Colony, Ramapuram, Chennai- 89.
3.SOUNDARAJAN Partner, M/s.S.K.R. Industries, Residing A No.1/2, Balambigai Nagar, 1st Main Road, Ramapuram, Chennai-089.
N.ANAND VENKATESH J.
rka 30-07-2025