IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17-12-2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR JUSTICE M. NIRMAL KUMAR

and

WPMP Crl.No.760 of 2025

Arthi

W/o. Udayakumar,

Residing at Flat No.B-708,

Sarvam Apartments, 200 feet radial Road,

Pallikaranai, Chennai – 600 100.

Appellant(s)

Vs

1. The Nodal Cyber Cell Officer of

Tamil Nadu

National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal,

Ministry of Home Affairs,

Government of India, New Delhi – 110 037.

2.Additional Director General of Police

Cyber Crime Wing,

No.3, Dr.Nateshan Road,

Police Training College Campus,

3rd Floor Cyber Crime,

Ashok Nagar, Chennai – 600 083.

3.The Inspector of Police

Maradu Police Station,

P A Ullahan Road, Near Govt. VHSS,

Maradu, Kochi, Ernakulam,

Kerala – 682 304.

4.The Inspector of Police White field Police Station, PRESTIGE WHITE MEADOWS, Whitefield Main Road, Sathya Sai Layout, Whitefiled, Bengaluru, Karnataka – 560 066.

5.The Inspector of Police Rajiv Nagar Police Station, Ashiana - Digha Road, Jagat Vihar Colony, Rukanpura, Patna, Bihar – 800 025.

6.The Inspector of Police Chavara Police Station, NH 66, Sankaramangalam, Chavara, Kerala – 691 583.

7.The Inspector of Police North Cyber Cell, Annex-III building, Police Commissioner Office, Crowford Market, Mumbai.

8.The Branch Manager ICICI Bank, Bazullah Road Branch, T.Nagar Branch, Chennai - 017 Respondent(s)

PRAYER : The writ petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India to issue the Writ of Mandamus directing the 8^th respondent to withhold the disputed amount of Rs.2,55,020 (Two lakhs fifty five thousand and twenty rupees only) in the account of the petitioner and release the balance of the amount in the account of the petitioner having savings account No.602601502459.

For Appellant(s): Mr.K.Kamesh For Respondent(s): Mr.S. Udayakumar Govt. Advocate (Crl Side)

For R1 and R2

ORDER

The petitioner is having a savings bank account No.602601502459 with ICIC Bank, Bazullah Road Branch, T.Nagar and the same was made inoperative, due to which, the petitioner is unable to operate her bank account. The petitioner earlier lodged a complaint to the Pallikaranai Police station on 26.10.2025 informing that she was unable to operate her bank account. Though CSR No.1602 of 2025 issued, no action taken. Hence, the above petition. 2.The contention of the petitioner is that the petitioner is running Pickle Ball Court at Madippakkam and Ramapuram, having 10 years of share trading experience and several business Apps, on 12.08.2025 when the petitioner was scrolling through Google share trading news, she came across a WhatsApp connecting link titled (8116.SMC Champions of Investments). The said group projected as though led by Mr.Himanshu Gupta, claiming as Chief Investment Officer of SMC Group and a partner in Global Trading Championship. The petitioner had no reason to doubt the group and she invested through the GTCSMC App for availing special intra-day stock options and news and IPO (Initial Public Offering) related benefits. Accordingly, on 03.09.2025 the petitioner invested Rs.1,00,000/- and on 04.09.2025, she further invested Rs.2,00,000/-, totalling Rs.3,00,000/- invested in the said App. When the petitioner on 04.09.2025 attempted to buy shares through the said App, the shares did not reflect in her Demat Account. Hence, she contacted the customer care, who informed the delay is due to Technical issue. On 05.09.2025, the petitioner suspected foul play and requested to sell the shares and repay the invested amount of Rs.3,00,000/-. On 06.09.2025, Rs.2,30,000/- was credited to the petitioner’s ICICI savings bank account maintained with the 8^th respondent with an assurance that the balance amount of Rs.70,000/- would be refunded. But not refunded, thereafter, the petitioner persistently demanded the return of remaining amount and she was removed from WhatsApp group. Further, the petitioner received a communication on 10.11.2025 from the ICICI Bank that pursuant to instructions received from the Law Enforcement Agency, her account was temporarily freezed and s