The court clarified procedures regarding the freezing of bank accounts by police authorities and the mandatory reporting of seizures to maintain a balance between law enforcement and individual rights.

S. MANU, J -------------------------------------------------------------

WP(C) No. 15086 of 2025 -------------------------------------------------------------

Dated this the 17^th day of September, 2025

JUDGMENT

The learned Government Pleader appeared for the 1^st respondent, the learned Central Government Counsel appeared for the 2^nd respondent and the learned Standing Counsel appeared for the 3^rd respondent. Though notice was issued, there is no appearance for the 4^th respondent.

2. The learned Standing Counsel for the 3^rd respondent Bank, on instructions, submitted that the impugned action was taken by the Bank on the instructions received from the 4^th respondent. However, no particular amount was mentioned in the requisition issued to the Bank.

3. As there is no appearance for the 4^th respondent, though notice was issued, I dispose this writ petition with the following directions:-

(i) The Police Authorities concerned are hereby directed to inform the Bank as to whether freezing of the petitioner's account will be required to be continued and if so, for how long. They shall also intimate as to whether freezing/lien can be confined to any particular amount;

(ii) On the Bank receiving the aforesaid information/intimation from the Police Authorities, they shall comply with it and complete necessary action - either continuing the freezing or lien for such period as mentioned therein; or withdrawing it, or by limiting it as the case may be;

(iii) The police officers concerned shall inform the Bank whether the seizure of the amount in the bank account has been reported to the jurisdictional Magistrate and if not, the time limit within which the seizure will be reported. If no intimation as to the compliance or the proposal to comply with Section 106 of the BNSS is received by the Bank within two months of receipt of a copy of this judgment, the Bank shall lift the debit freeze or remove the lien, as the case may be, on the petitioner's bank account;

(iv) In order to enable the Police to comply with the above direction, the Bank, as well as the petitioner, shall forthwith serve a copy of this judgment to the police officer concerned and retain proof of such service.

4. It is clarified that the police authority concerned shall be at liberty to approach this Court to seek review of this judgment if required.

5. The respondent Bank is not precluded from freezing or imposing lien on the petitioner's account on receipt of any subsequent requests/ orders from any law enforcing agencies or courts.

The writ petition is ordered accordingly.