← Library
Madras High CourtWP/34615/2025disposed of with direction

Meenakshi Ganesh v. The Manager

2025-10-06Honourable Mr Justice M.Dhandapani6 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 06.10.2025 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M. DHANDAPANI Meenakshi Ganesh ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Manager, The State Bank of India, No.9, Bazulla Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017.

2.The Manager, Axis Bank, 113, G.N.Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017.

3.Ganesh Subramaniam ... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the 3rd respondent and banks to ensure that 50% of the amounts lying in the joint accounts and fixed deposits bearing No.(TDR No) 33822459647 and bearing No.(TDR No) 014010400532570 are paid to the petitioner without further delay. For Petitioner : Mr.M.Anandha Kumar Page No.1 of 6

For Respondents : Mr.B.Raghavulu Naidu [R1] Mr.R.Sreedhar [R2] Mr.G.V.Sridharan [R3] *****

ORDER

The petitioner seeks a direction upon the 3rd respondent and banks to ensure that 50% of the amounts lying in the joint accounts and fixed deposits bearing No.(TDR No) 33822459647 and bearing No.(TDR No) 014010400532570 are paid to him without further delay.

2. The petitioner and the 3rd respondent were married for over 40 years and held joint bank accounts and fixed deposits with State Bank of India and Axis Bank. Subsequently, the petitioner obtained judicial separation in FCA No.230 of 2010, during which, the joint accounts were frozen. In W.P.Nos.3605 & 6538 of 2024, this Court, vide order, dated 28.04.2025, had directed the respective banks therein to take stock as to how much amount is lying in all the accounts as well as the fixed deposits and disburse 50% each to the petitioner as well as the 3rd respondent. Despite the directions, the banks have not disbursed the respective amounts to the petitioner. The above said order passed by this Court Page No.2 of 6

cannot be restricted to that particular account alone, but extend to all similar joint accounts maintained by the petitioner and the 3rd respondent. Since the respondents 1 and 2 herein are not arrayed as respondents in the above said writ petitions, the petitioner has filed this Writ Petition before this Court for appropriate orders.

3. Though very many grounds have been raised in this writ petition, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that, it would suffice, if this Court issues a direction to the respondents 1 and 2banks to disburse 50% of the amount lying in the joint accounts and fixed deposits maintained by the petitioner as well as the 3rd respondent in their banks, without any further delay.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the 1st respondent, on instructions, submits that the 3rd respondent alone has maintained fixed deposit with the 1st respondent-bank and the same was also disbursed to him. Further, he submitted that there is no joint fixed deposits available with the 1st respondent in respect of the petitioner and the 3rd respondent. Page No.3 of 6

5. The learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent submits that, if the 3rd respondent has no objection for disbursing 50% of the amount to the petitioner, the same will be disbursed to the petitioner and the remaining 50% will be disbursed to the 3rd respondent, as expeditiously as possible.

6. The learned counsel appearing for the 3rd respondent, on instructions, submitted that the 3rd respondent has no objection for disbursing 50% of the amount to the petitioner and he is inclined to withdraw the remaining 50% of the amount from the 2nd respondent-bank.

7. In view of the above submissions made by the learned counsel for the parties, this Court, without going into the merits of the case, directs the 2nd respondent to disburse 50% of the amount to the petitioner and the remaining 50% of the amount to the 3rd respondent, within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. If the petitioner has any document to show that herself and her husband/3rd respondent, were maintaining joint accounts with the 1st respondent, she is at liberty to approach the 1st respondent along with appropriate Page No.4 of 6

documents. If it is found by the 1st respondent that the petitioner and the 3rd respondent were maintaining joint account with their bank, the 1st respondent shall take appropriate action to disburse the same equally to them, as expeditiously as possible.

8. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

06.10.2025 Index : Yes / No Speaking order / Non-speaking order sp To 1.The Manager, The State Bank of India, No.9, Bazulla Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017.

2.The Manager, Axis Bank, 113, G.N.Chetty Road, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017.

Page No.5 of 6

M.DHANDAPANI, J.

sp 06.10.2025 Page No.6 of 6