Augustin v. The Regional Director

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 27.04.2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE Mr.JUSTICE HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR W.P.(MD)No.6159 of 2026 & W.M.P.(MD)No.5169 of 2026 Augustin

...Petitioner

vs.

1.The Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Fort Glacis 16, Rajaji Salai, Chennai - 600 001.

2.The Branch Manager, Canara Bank, Udankudi Branch, Thoothukudi District.

...Respondents

Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India, praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the 2nd respondent to defreeze the Petitioner's Current Account No.120001741510 within stipulated time fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.R.Ganeshprabu For Respondents : Mr.K.R.Laxman for R1 Mr.C.Karthik for R2 1/4

ORDER

The petitioner has approached this Court seeking a direction to defreeze the petitioner's Current Account No. 120001741510. The account was frozen on the ground that there were significant inflows into the account during the period from 12.07.2023 to 01.12.2023. In this regard, the second respondent Bank issued communications calling upon the petitioner to furnish relevant documents.

2. Learned counsel appearing for the Reserve Bank of India has placed on record a communication issued by the RBI, stating that no instruction was given to the second respondent Bank to freeze the petitioner's account.

3. In the absence of any statutory authority empowering the Bank to freeze the petitioner's account merely on the ground of repeated inflowsparticularly when the amounts involved are minimal-the action of the second respondent in freezing the account is arbitrary and unsustainable.

4. In light of the above, the second respondent is directed to de-freeze the petitioner's Current Account No. 120001741510 forthwith. 2/4

5. Accordingly, this writ petition is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. 27.04.2026 Speaking / Non-speaking order Index : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No mbi To 1.The Regional Director, Reserve Bank of India, Fort Flacis 16, Rajaji Salai, Chennai - 600 001.

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HEMANT CHANDANGOUDAR, J.

mbi 27.04.2026 4/4