The Rajasthan High Court at Jaipur has allowed S.B. Civil Writ Petition No.5547/2026 filed by Yash Rav, aged 18 years, resident of Ratna Colony, Madanganj, Kishangarh, Ajmer, and directed the respondent Bank of Baroda to de-freeze his bank account bearing No.41218100004234 maintained at the Industrial Area Madanganj Branch within three days of submission of a certified copy of the order. Justice Anuroop Singhi observed that merely because a small disputed amount of Rs.1,364.32 was credited to the petitioner’s account in an alleged fraudulent transaction, freezing the entire account and imposing a complete restriction on banking transactions was arbitrary and would seriously prejudice the rights of the petitioner. The Court clarified that at most the bank can keep a lien only on the amount relating to the alleged fraudulent transaction(s) credited in the account.
The petitioner approached the Court seeking immediate de-freezing of his account, written reasons for the blocking, and any communication received from the Cyber Crime Authorities. He submitted that he had never misused the account for illegal transactions, had no relation whatsoever with the alleged fraudulent transaction(s), and was ready and willing to cooperate fully with the investigating agencies and appear before them as and when called upon. He prayed that while the disputed amount may remain frozen, he may be allowed to operate the account and carry out banking transactions over and above the disputed sum.
Learned counsel for the respondent Bank submitted that the disputed amount credited in the petitioner’s account was only Rs.1,364.32 and the account had been frozen strictly in compliance with the financial cyber fraud complaint(s). The State counsel submitted that as the petitioner is the beneficiary of an amount involved in a financial cyber fraud complaint and the investigation is ongoing, no interference is called for at this stage.
After hearing the parties, the Court held that the action of the police and the bank in directing the freezing of the entire bank account merely because a certain small amount had been transferred in an alleged fraudulent transaction was arbitrary and unreasonable. The petitioner cannot be penalised for having received bona fide funds in the ordinary course of his banking transactions. The Court directed the bank to de-freeze the account positively within three days and permit the petitioner to operate and carry out banking transactions over and above the disputed amount of Rs.1,364.32, which shall remain frozen. The petitioner was directed to cooperate with the bank authorities and investigating agencies, not to close or discontinue the account until permitted, and to face inquiry/investigation as per law if his involvement in any illegal transaction is found. The Court clarified that the order was passed only in the context of de-freezing the account and does not amount to any determination on the merits of the financial cyber fraud complaint.
The writ petition was accordingly disposed of with the aforesaid directions. Pending applications, if any, were also disposed of.
Case Title: Yash Rav v. Bank of Baroda and Others
Case No.: S.B. Civil Writ Petition No.5547/2026
Date of Order: 15 April 2026
Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anuroop Singhi
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