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Kerala High Court
Bibin Philip vs State Of Kerala on 31 January, 2026
2026:KER:8784
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISANKAR V. MENON
SATURDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF JANUARY 2026 / 11TH MAGHA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 24926 OF 2023
PETITIONER:
EYAS
AGED 31 YEARS
EYAS M A AGED 31 YEARS S/O MM ABDUL SALAM 10/1542,
THAMARAPARAMBU FORT KOCHI ERNAKULAM DISTRICT KERALA-
682001
BY ADV SRI.RAJU JOSEPH
RESPONDENTS:
1 THE STATE POLICE CHIEF
THE STATE POLICE CHIEF POLICE HEAD QUARTERS,
VAZHUTHACAD THIRUVANATAHPURAM- 695014
2 THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE REVENUE TOWER OFFICE OF
COMMISSIONER OF POLCIE ERNAKULUM DISTRICT KEALA- 682025
3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE
THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE CYBER CELL UNA DISTRICT
HIMACHAL PRADESH. PIN 174303
4 THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE (CYBER CRIME)
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE (CYBER CRIME) STATE CID
SHIMLA, HIMACHAL PRADESH, PIN -171002,
5 THE OPERATIONS HEAD
THE OPERATIONS HEAD AXIS BANK LTD BUILDING NO. 11/3319
B PALLICHAL ROAD THOPPUMPADY BRANCH ERNAKULAM DISTRICT
KERALA- 682005
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
31.01.2026, ALONG WITH WP(C).7935/2023, 16538/2023 AND CONNECTED
CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
2
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISANKAR V. MENON
SATURDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF JANUARY 2026 / 11TH MAGHA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 21330 OF 2023
PETITIONER:
BIBIN PHILIP
AGED 25 YEARS
S/O BINOY, RESIDING @ ALUMKAL HOUSE, ARPOOKARA EAST,
KOTTAYAM PIN -686008
BY ADVS.
SRI.G.KIRAN
SRI.R.KISHORE (KALLUMTHAZHAM)
RESPONDENTS:
1 STATE OF KERALA
REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HOME AND
VIGILANCE, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANATHAPURAM PIN -695001
2 RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
RESERVE BANK GOVERNOR,6, SANSAD MARG, NEW DELHI PIN -
110 001, INDIA.
3 STATE POLICE CHIEF
POLICE HEAD QUARTERS, VAZHUTHACAUD THIRUVANTHAPURAM
PIN -695001
4 BRANCH MANAGER
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
3
HDFC BANK, 560A, 1ST FLOOR, PULINCHUVADU JUNCTION,
KUDAMALOOR, KOTTAYAM PIN- 686017
5 BRANCH MANAGER
FEDERAL BANK, THEVARA BUILDING, NEAR MEDICAL COLLEGE,
GANDHI NAGAR, KOTTAYAM, KERALA PIN-686008
6 BRANCH MANAGER
ICICI BANK, ICICI BANK LTD, GURUKULAM
BUILDING,MANAKKARA, SASTHAMCOTTA, KOLLAM, KERALA,
SASTHAMCOTTAH, KERALA,PIN - 690521
7 STATION HOUSE OFFICER
ECONOMIC AND NARCOTIC CRIME POLICE STATION, NEAR OLD
PORT OFFICE, BANDER, MANGALORE,
MANGALURU,KARNATAKA,PIN- 575001
BY ADVS.
GOVERNMENT PLEADER
SRI.PREMCHAND M.
SHRI.MOHAN JACOB GEORGE
SMT.P.V.PARVATHY (P-41)
SMT.REENA THOMAS
SMT.NIGI GEORGE
SHRI.ANANTHU V.LAL
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
31.01.2026, ALONG WITH WP(C).24926/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
4
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISANKAR V. MENON
SATURDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF JANUARY 2026 / 11TH MAGHA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 7935 OF 2023
PETITIONER:
THOYYIB. T.T
AGED 38 YEARS
S/O. MUHAMMEDKUTTY, MACHINGAL HOUSE, KANNAMANGALAM
P.O., MALAPPURAM DISTRICT., PIN - 676304
BY ADVS.
SRI.R.RANJITH (MANJERI)
SRI.A.P.NIDHIN KUMAR
RESPONDENTS:
1 THE FEDERAL BANK LTD
OORAKAM BRANCH, MALIYEKKAL BUILDING, OPP. GVHSS,
VENGARA, MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS
BRANCH MANAGER, PIN - 696304
2 THE REGIONAL MANAGER
THE FEDERAL BANK LTD., BAVA'S ARCADE, KIZHAKKETHALA
JUNCTION, DOWN HILL P.O., MALAPPURAM., PIN - 676519
3 THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE
PUTTENHALLI POLICE STATION, SOUTH DIVISION, BANGALORE
CITY., PIN - 560078
BY ADVS.
SHRI.T.G.PAUL
SHRI.GEORGE JAMES VATTATHARA
SHRI.P.N.ANOOP (PAREKKADAN)
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON
31.01.2026, ALONG WITH WP(C).24926/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
5
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISANKAR V. MENON
SATURDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF JANUARY 2026 / 11TH MAGHA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 16538 OF 2023
PETITIONER
SAJEER T.N
AGED 45 YEARS
S/O. THAJUDEEN, RESIDING AT VILAYIL VEEDU,
MANNOORKONAM, THOLIKKAD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN -
695541
BY ADVS.
SRI.PIRAPPANCODE V.S.SUDHIR
SHRI. AKASH S.
SHRI. GIRISH KUMAR M S
SMT.DEVIKA JAYARAJ
RESPONDENTS:
1 STATE OF KERALA
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, HOME
DEPARTMENT, SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN -
695001
2 THE BRANCH MANAGER
BANK OF INDIA, KILIMANOOR BRANCH, NEDUMANGAD,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695541
3 THE STATION HOUSE OFFICER
VALIAMALA POLICE STATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN -
695547
4 THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
CYBER CRIME UNIT, 1ST FLOOR, SARABHA NAGAR, LUDHIANA,
PUNJAB., PIN - 141012
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEN FINALLY HEARD ON
31.01.2026, ALONG WITH WP(C).24926/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
6
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISANKAR V. MENON
SATURDAY, THE 31ST DAY OF JANUARY 2026 / 11TH MAGHA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 23940 OF 2023
PETITIONER:
TEAM TRAVEL
AGED 43 YEARS
OFFICE AT KT BUILDING, OPPOSITE MANALIMMAL BUS STAND,
PANDIKAD ROAD, WANDOOR, REPRESENTED BY ITS
REPRESENTATIVE RAJEEF K,S/O MUSTHAFA, PIN - 679328
BY ADV KUM.GAYATHRI MURALEEDHARAN
RESPONDENTS:
1 STATE OF KERALA
REPRESENTED BY THE HOME SECRETARY, HOME DEPARTMENT,
GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA -,
PIN - 695001
2 THE RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
REPRESENTED BY ITS GOVERNOR, HEAD OFFICE, MUMBAI,
MAHARASHTRA, PIN - 400029
3 ICICI BANK LTD.
GIFT LAND TOWERS, MAIN ROAD, NILAMBUR, KERALA
REPRESENTED BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER, PIN - 679329
4 STATION HOUSE OFFICER
CYBER CRIME POLICE STATION, EAST KUTCH GANDHIDHAM
POLICE STATION GUJRAT, PIN - 370201
BY ADVS.
SRI.MILLU DANDAPANI
SHRI.LAL K.JOSEPH
SHRI.SURESH SUKUMAR
SRI.ANZIL SALIM
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
31.01.2026, ALONG WITH WP(C).24926/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE
COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
7
JUDGMENT
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
These writ petitions have been filed seeking to
challenge the freezing of bank accounts of the respective
petitioners by the respondents herein, on the basis of
certain directives issued by the police
authorities/Government authorities.
2. A learned Single Judge of this Court, in Abdul
Azees v. Union of India [2025 (7) KHC 308] has held
that though the Banks can effect debit freeze, even without
issuing any notice to the account holder, in a situation
where the Bank could suspect the transaction in the
accounts, such freezing could be continued only for a period
of three months. Certain directives were also issued by this
Court in the afore judgment.
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
I am of the opinion that the directions issued by
this Court would apply to the facts and circumstances of this
case also. Insofar as these writ petitions have been pending
for almost three years and no further steps seems to have
been taken in the matter, I am of the opinion that these writ
petitions can be disposed of, in terms of the interim orders
issued by this Court as above. These writ petitions are
disposed of as above.
Sd/-
HARISANKAR V. MENON
JUDGE
SSK/31/01
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 24926 OF 2023
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 COPY OF THE EMAIL COMMUNICATION DATED
3.7.2023
Exhibit P2 COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 17.7.2023
Exhibit P3 COPY OF THE ACCOUNT STATEMENT OF THE
PETITIONER
Exhibit P4 COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 30/5/2023 IN WPC
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 21330 OF 2023
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 THE TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER SEND BY THE
PETITIONER TO THE 6TH RESPONDENT 08.05.2023
Exhibit P2 THE TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER ISSUED BY THE
5TH RESPONDENT BANK DATED 20.05.2023
Exhibit P3 THE TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION
SUBMITTED BEFORE THE RESPONDENTS 1 TO 7
DATED 26.06.2023
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 7935 OF 2023
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION ISSUED FROM
THE 1ST RESPONDENT TO THE PETITIONER, DATED
19-12-2022
Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY COMMUNICATION ISSUED
BY THE PETITIONER TO THE BRANCH MANAGER OF
THE 1ST RESPONDENT, DATED 04-01-2023
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 16538 OF 2023
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.2771/CYBER CELL-
LUDHIANA DATED 05.11.2022, RECEIVED BY THE
PETITIONER FROM THE 2ND RESPONDENT
Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED 24.11.2022
OF THE PETITIONER AGAINST THE 2ND
RESPONDENT
Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED 29.11.2022
FILED BY THE PETITIONER BEFORE THE BANKING
OMBUDSMAN, RESERVE BANK OF INDIA,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER NO.RBI/CMS/
N202223023314547/2022-23 DATED 02.01.2023
OF THE BANKING OMBUDSMAN, RESERVE BANK OF
INDIA
Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 13.04.2023
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER TO THE
2ND RESPONDENT
Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE NOTICE DATED 13.04.2023
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE PETITIONER TO THE
4TH RESPONDENT
Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY NOTICE DATED
03.05.2023 SENT ON BEHALF OF THE 2ND
RESPONDENT
g-mail g-mail sent to the 4th respondent
2026:KER:8784
W.P.(C) Nos.24926, 21330, 7935,
16538 and 23940 of 2023
APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 23940 OF 2023
PETITIONER EXHIBITS
Exhibit P1 THE TRUE COPY OF THE E- MAIL RECEIVED BY
THE PETITIONER FROM THE 3 RD RESPONDENT
DATED 13.06.2023
