Karthik v. The State Rep By The Investigating Officer

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 05-06-2026

CORAM

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE G.K. ILANTHIRAIYAN Karthik S/o, Soundararajan, No.411, Block E, Tulive Horizon Residences, Arunachalam Road, Saligramam, Chennai 600 093 ..Petitioner(s) Vs

1. The State Rep By The Investigating Officer Cyber Crime Police Station, Central Crime Branch, Chennai 600 008.

2. Axis Bank Head Office Branch, No.82, Ground Floor, Aalim Centre, Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai, Mylapore, Chennai -600 004.

3. The Branch Manager, Axis bank, universal Insurance Building, Ground Floor, Sir P.M.Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001.

..Respondent(s) PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution praying for issuance of writ of MANDAMUS directing the respondents to comply with the order dated 13.11.2025 in Crl.mp.No.11238 of 2025 by debiting Axis Bank A/c.925020006580098 and transfer Rs.20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakhs Only) to the Petitioner's ICICI Bank A/c No.154505002548, Saligramam Branch, Chennai and pass such further or other orders.

For Petitioner(s):

Mr.S.Karthikei Balan

For Respondent(s):

Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government for R1 Mr.R. Sreedhar for R2 & R3

ORDER

Writ Petition has been filed seeking direction to the respondents to comply with the order dated 13.11.2025 in Crl.mp.No.11238 of 2025 by debiting Axis Bank A/c.925020006580098 and transfer Rs.20,00,000/- (Twenty Lakhs Only) to the Petitioner's ICICI Bank A/c No.154505002548, Saligramam Branch, Chennai and pass such further or other orders. 2.The petitioner is the de facto complainant, who lodged a complaint before the Cyber Crime Police alleging that she was cheated to the tune of ₹26,00,000/- through a matrimonial scam involving misrepresentation. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Cyber Crime Police froze the account of the accused maintained with the third respondent bank (Account No. 925020006580098).

Thereafter, the first respondent police sought permission to de-freeze the account to transfer a sum of ₹20 lakhs to the petitioner's account, as only ₹20,00,000/- was available in the said account. Under these circumstances, the learned XI Metropolitan Magistrate, Saidapet, by an order dated 13.11.2025 in Crl.M.P. No.

than the same, to the de facto complainant's account. However, the third respondent bank has failed to de-freeze the account, and the funds have not been transferred to the petitioner's account. Instead of complying with the order of the learned Magistrate, the third respondent replied that multiple liens have been placed on the account by different departments. Be that as it may, since the learned Magistrate has already ordered the de-freezing of the account maintained with the third respondent bank, the third respondent ought to comply with the order on a "first-come, first-served" basis. In view of the above, the third respondent is directed to de-freeze the seized bank account and forthwith transfer ₹20 lakhs, or if it is less than the said amount, to the de facto complainant's account.

3. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 05-06-2026 SMA To 1.The Investigating Officer Cyber Crime Police Station, Central Crime Branch, Chennai 600 008.

2. The Public Prosecutor, Madras High Court.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

SMA 05-06-2026