Ramkumar Ravichandran v. The Reserve Bank Of India

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 12.12.2024

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN Ramkumar Ravichandran ... Petitioner versus 1.The Reserve Bank of India, World Trade Centre, Colaba, Mumbai.

2.The ICICI Bank, Head Office, Corporate Officer, ICICI Bank Towers, Bandra-Kurala Complex, Mumbai - 400 051.

3.The Branch Manager, ICICI Bank, R.S.Puram, Branch, No.183, Red Rose Towers, DB Road, R.S.Puram, Coimbatore - 641 002.

4.The Inspector of Police, SHO Police Station - IT Park, Industrial Area, Chandigarh - 160 002.

... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the third respondent to de-freeze the petitioner's saving bank account bearing No.034201004867, R.S.Puram Branch, Pg.Nos.1/4

Coimbatore vide representation dated 16.02.2024 and furnish details for having frozen the saving bank account.

For Petitioner :

Mr.AR.M.Arunachalam For Respondents :

Mr.S.Sugendran Additional Public Prosecutor

O R D E R

Writ Petition has been filed seeking issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the third respondent to de-freeze the petitioner's savings bank account bearing No.034201004867, R.S.Puram Branch, Coimbatore, by considering his representation dated 16.02.2024, and to provide details regarding the reasons for freezing the savings bank account.

2. A perusal of the records reveals that the petitioner's bank account with the third respondent was frozen specifically based on instructions from the fourth respondent, the Inspector of Police, SHO, Police Station - IT Park, Industrial Area, Chandigarh. The first respondent is the Reserve Bank of India, and the second respondent is the Head Office of the third respondent Bank. Notably, except for the third respondent, where the petitioner holds an account and which falls within the jurisdiction of this Court, the other respondents, including the first, second, and fourth respondents, are outside the jurisdiction of this Court. Pg.Nos.2/4

The freezing of the petitioner's account was done specifically based on instructions from the fourth respondent. The petitioner has not assigned any valid reason for seeking a writ against respondents 1, 2, and 4 under Article 226 of the Constitution.

3. In view of the above, the writ petition is dismissed. However, liberty is granted to the petitioner to work out his remedy in the manner known to law by approaching the appropriate forum.

25.11.2024 Index: Yes/No Speaking Order : Yes/No r n s Pg.Nos.3/4

P.VELMURUGAN, J.

r n s To 1.The Reserve Bank of India, World Trade Centre, Colaba, Mumbai.

2.The Inspector of Police, SHO Police Station - IT Park, Industrial Area, Chandigarh - 160 002.

12.12.2024 Pg.Nos.4/4