THE HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA WRIT PETITION No.23399 of 2025

ORDER:

This Writ Petition is filed seeking a declaration that the unilateral freezing of the petitioner’s savings bank account bearing No.3560054659 at the Central Bank of India, Tulsi Nagar Colony Branch, Golnaka, Amberpet, by the official respondents, without prior notice or intimation, is illegal, and consequently to direct the respondents to defreeze the said account.

2. Heard Mr.Abdul Azam Khan, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.P.Shashidhar Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for Central Government for respondent No.1, learned Government Pleader for Home for respondent No.2 and Mr.M.G.Thomas, learned counsel for respondent No.3. Perused the record.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is a self-employed small businesswoman selling dresses and sarees through an online platform and maintains a savings bank account bearing No.3560054659 with the Central Bank of India, Tulsi Nagar Colony Branch, Golnaka, Amberpet. As on date, the account has a balance of Rs.1,32,097/-. On 02.07.2025, the petitioner was unable to make a transaction as the account showed “Debit Transactions Restricted.” Upon enquiry, the respondent bank, by email dated 17.07.2025, informed that an amount of Rs.13,485/- was put on hold on the instructions of the Cyber Crime Department and that the restriction would continue pending investigation. While the petitioner is willing to cooperate with the investigation, the respondents have frozen the entire account, including the petitioner’s remaining hard-earned funds, without any prior notice or intimation. Hence, this Writ Petition.

4. Learned counsel for Respondent No.3 filed a memo dated 03.09.2025, wherein he enclosed a copy of an e-mail from the Maharashtra Police regarding debit restrictions on the petitioner’s account. The E-mail states that please Debit Freeze all the Accounts immediately.

5. Considering the submissions and on perusal of the records, it is evident that the restriction on the petitioner’s account was imposed by the competent authority, namely the Maharashtra Police/Cyber Crime Department, in the course of a lawful investigation. The respondents have acted under statutory and legal instructions to protect the integrity of the investigation. While the petitioner’s grievance is understandable, it cannot override the powers of the investigating authorities. In view of the above, no case is made out for interference under Article 226 of the Constitution, and the Writ Petition is liable to be dismissed.

6. Accordingly, this Writ Petition is dismissed. No costs.

Miscellaneous applications, if any pending, shall stand closed.

____________________________ NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA, J Date: 25.11.2025 dgr