The order demanding a deposit from a non-accused without legal basis is unsustainable.

ORDER

The petitioner has been served with Annexure I letter by the 1st respondent directing her to deposit Rs. 3,00,000/- in fixed deposit in her name and handover the original fixed deposit receipt to the 1st respondent by

27.01.2026.

2. The petitioner has stated in the Criminal Miscellaneous Case that the above action is illegal and unreasonable. The petitioner is not an accused in the crime and there is no reason mentioned in Annexure I letter for the petitioner to deposit the above amount.

Therefore, Annexure I letter may be quashed.

3. I have heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent.

4. The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent submits that, in the investigation conducted by the 1^st respondent in ECIR/KCZO/07/2025/266, it is prima facie revealed that the proceeds in Crime No. 119/2025, registered by the Muvattupuzha Police Station have reached the hands of the petitioner. During the questioning of the petitioner, she agreed to deposit the above said amount in fixed deposit and hand over the original fixed deposit. It was on the basis of the above undertaking that Annexure I letter was issued to the petitioner.

5. Admittedly there is no reason or statutory provision mentioned in Annexure I letter for the petitioner to deposit the above amount in fixed deposit and to hand over the fixed deposit receipt to the 1st respondent. The petitioner is also not an accused in the crime. Thus, I am of the view that Annexure I letter is unsustainable in law.

In the aforesaid circumstances, I quash Annexure I letter, but without prejudice to the right of the 1st respondent to work out their remedies in accordance with law.