C.Rengarajan v. The Station House Officer,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.06.2026

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE L.VICTORIA GOWRI C.Rengarajan ... Petitioner Vs.

1. The Station House Officer, Cyber Police Station, North Region, Brihan Mumbai City, Maharashtra-400 101.

2. The Station House Officer, Panvel Town Police Station, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra-410 206.

3. The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police Station, Chennai CCB, Rajaji Bhavan, Besant Nagar, Chennai-600 090.

4. The Station House Officer, Bangalore City Cyber Crime, Karnataka.

5. M/s.Indian Overseas Bank, Rep. Through its Branch Manager, Subramaniapuram Branch, Pudukkottai District.

... Respondents 1/6

PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent No.5 to defreeze the petitioner's Savings Bank Account No.068101000018639 forthwith by considering his representation dated 25.02.2026. For Petitioner : Mr.M.J.Ameer Hussain For Respondents : Mr.D.Rajaboopathy (R3) Government Advocate (Crl.Side) Mr.Y.Jagadeesh (R5) for M/s.Acuity Law Associates

ORDER

This petition has been filed seeking for a direction to the 5th respondent to de-freeze the petitioner's Bank Account No. 068101000018639 maintained in the 5th respondent bank within the time frame fixed by this Court.

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. 068101000018639 at Indian Overseas Bank, Subramaniapuram, Pudukottai. (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 fifth respondent 2/6

freezing the entire account is illegal and violates the fundamental rights of the petitioner; that the fifth respondent was obliged to obey the directions, the fifth 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.

4. The learned counsel appearing for the fifth 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 1, 2 & 4 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 3/6

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. 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 fifth 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.

19.06.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No sm 4/6

TO:-

1. The Inspector of Police, Cyber Crime Police Station, Chennai CCB, Rajaji Bhavan, Besant Nagar, Chennai-600 090.

2. M/s.Indian Overseas Bank, Rep. Through its Branch Manager, Subramaniapuram Branch, Pudukkottai District.

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

5/6

L.VICTORIA GOWRI, J.

Sm Order made in Dated 19.06.2026 6/6