S.Venkatesan v. The Reserve Bank Of India,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT Dated : 16/06/2026

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE L. VICTORIA GOWRI S.Venkatesan ... Petitioner Vs

1. The Reserve Bank of India, Fort. Glacis, 16, Fort St.George, Chennai.

2. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime and Forensic, Phase 4, Sector 59, Sas Nagar, Mohali, Punjab - 160059.

3. The Superintendent of Police, Surveyor Colony, Alagarkovil Road, Madurai - 625 007.

4. The Branch Manager, Central Bank of India, Yadhava College Branch, Narayanapuram, Madurai - 625 014.

... Respondents PRAYER :- To Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents No. 3 and 4 to defreeze the bank account of the Petitioner bearing account number is 1/6

3295750216 at Central Bank of India, Yadhava College Branch, Madurai and raise the lien created by the 2nd and 3rd respondent for sum of Rs.28,184.82/- on 02.09.2025 and another sum of Rs.32,774.59/- on 10.10.2025 in the savings account by considering his email dated 17.04.2026 and subsequent reminder representation dated 25.04.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.R.Paranjothi for M/s. KBS Law Office For Respondent : Mr.K.R.Laxman for R1 Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.C.Susikumar for R2 and R3 Mr.Y.Jegadeesh - for R4 Standing Counsel

ORDER

This Writ Petition is filed seeking to issue Writ of Mandamus directing the Respondents No. 3 and 4 to de-freeze the bank account of the Petitioner bearing account number is 3295750216 at Central Bank of India, Yadhava College Branch, Madurai and raise the lien created by the 2nd and 3rd respondent for sum of Rs.28,184.82/- on 02.09.2025 and another sum of Rs.32,774.59/- on 10.10.2025 in the savings account by 2/6

considering his email dated 17.04.2026 and subsequent reminder representation dated 25.04.2026.

2. The facts leading to the filing of the petition are as follows: (a) The petitioner is holding a current account bearing A/c No. 3295750216 at Central Bank India, Yadhava College Branch, Madurai. (b) The petitioner came to know that his account had been frozen.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is not an accused in any criminal case; the act of the first respondent freezing the entire account is illegal and violates the fundamental rights of the petitioner; that the fourth respondent was obliged to obey the directions, the fourth respondent ought to have informed the petitioner about the action taken thereon; and that having failed to do so, it has breached the contract with the petitioner. 3/6

4. The learned counsel appearing for the fourth respondent would submit that the account of the petitioner was frozen due to some illegal transactions.

5. Heard the learned counsel on either sides and carefully perused the materials placed before this Court. Considering the nature of the order proposed to be passed in this petition, notice to the respondents 2 and 3 is dispensed with.

6. On perusal of the records, the fact is that the account has been frozen and the petitioner is unable to operate the account.

7. It is seen that in similar circumstances, this Court had observed that when the alleged fraudulent amount is quantified, the freezing of the whole account would not be justified. Similar view was taken by the learned Single Judge of this Court in W.P.(MD).No.15684 of 2024 dated 15.07.2024, wherein, it was held that:

"3. The respondent is permitted to retain the aforesaid sum by marking lien on the petitioner's account. Subject to such marking of lien, the petitioner is permitted to operate their bank account. The freezing effected on the petitioner's bank account is lifted to the aforesaid extent. 4/6

T\his writ petition stands allowed . No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed."

8. Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of on the following directions:

(a). The first respondent / Bank shall mark a lien only for the quantified sum and permit the petitioner to operate the account forthwith. (b). The petitioner is at liberty to move to the concerned Jurisdictional Magistrate for recall of the lien marked over the quantified amount, if he is so advised.

16.06.2026 NCC : yes / no Index : yes / no pnn 5/6

L. VICTORIA GOWRI,J pnn To

1. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime and Forensic, Phase 4, Sector 59, Sas Nagar, Mohali, Punjab - 160059.

2. The Superintendent of Police, Surveyor Colony, Alagarkovil Road, Madurai - 625 007.

3. The Additional Public Prosecutor, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

ORDER

IN WP CRL.(MD) No.2526 of 2026 Date : 16/06/2026 6/6