Samuel Lovejoy.B v. The General Manager

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 17.07.2023

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE B.PUGALENDHI WP(MD).No.17107 of 2023 B.Samuel Lovejoy ... Petitioner Vs 1.The General Manager, Local Head Officer, Circle Top House, No.16, College Lane, Chennai 600 006.

2.The General Manager, Local Head Office, Ahamadabad, State of Gujarat.

3.The Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India, Cantonment, Trichy 620 001.

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4.The Branch Manager, Cantonment,Trichy 620 001.

... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying this Court to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to unfreeze the petitioner's savings Bank A/c.no. 10848642893, on the file of the 4th respondent by considering the petitioner's representation dated 24.06.2023. For Petitioner : Mr.T.Leninkumar For R3 & R4 : Mr.Pethu Rajesh Standing Counsel

O R D E R

The petitioner is having a Savings Bank A/c No. 10848642893, on the file of the fourth respondent / State Bank of India, Main Branch, Cantonment, Trichy for the past 18 years. When he presented a cheque for collection on 16.06.2023, it was returned by the fourth respondent that his account was freezed. Therefore, the petitioner has filed this writ petition for a Mandamus directing the fourth respondent to un-freeze his account No.10848642893 by considering his representation dated 24.06.2023. 2/6

2. Mr.Pethu Rajesh, learned standing counsel, who takes notice for the respondents 3 & 4 submits that i. The petitioner is maintaining a core Bank account, of which, he can operate his account anywhere in India.

ii. The representation of the petitioner dated 24.06.2023 was duly considered and on verification, it came to know that the petitioner has indulged in a criminal case on the file of the Cyber Crime, Gujarat and on the instructions of the Cyber Crime Wing (Gujarat), the main Branch, Local Head Office, Ahemedabad has freezed the petitioner's account.

3.Considered the submissions made by the learned Standing counsel.

4.The petitioner is maintaining a core bank account with the State Bank of India, Main Branch, Cantonment, Trichy. Since some of the transactions of the petitioner were found to be offensive, a 3/6

criminal case has been registered by the Cyber Crime Wing, Gujarat and on the instructions of the Cyber Crime Wing, Gujarat, the main Branch, Local Head Office, Ahemedabad has freezed the petitioner's account.

5.In view of the above, this Court is not inclined to entertain this writ petition. However, a direction is hereby issued to the fourth respondent to give a written reply to the petitioner enabling him to work out his remedy in the manner known to law. 6.Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of. No costs. 17.07.2023 NCC : Yes / No.

Index : Yes / No.

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To 1.The General Manager, Local Head Officer, Circle Top House, No.16, College Lane, Chennai 600 006.

2.The General Manager, Local Head Office, Ahamadabad, State of Gujarat.

3.The Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India, Cantonment, Trichy 620 001.

4.The Branch Manager, Cantonment Trichy 620 001.

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B.PUGALENDHI, J.

vrn Order made in WP(MD).No.17107 of 2023 17.07.2023 6/6