Kerala High Court
Celeste John vs The State Police Chief on 10 July, 2025
Author: N.Nagaresh
Bench: N.Nagaresh
2025:KER:51174
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.NAGARESH
THURSDAY, THE 10TH DAY OF JULY 2025 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 24446 OF 2025
PETITIONER:
CELESTE JOHN,
AGED 25 YEARS,
S/O.JOHN AUGUSTINE RISHIN.,
POONKAVIL HOUSE, NARIKODE, EZHOME,
KOTTILA.P.O, KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN - 670334
BY ADV.SRI.PRANAV
RESPONDENTS:
1 THE STATE POLICE CHIEF,
POLICE HEAD QUARTERS,
VAZHUTHACAUD,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
PIN - 695014
2 THE BRANCH MANAGER,
HDFC BANK LTD, FORT ROAD BRANCH,
GUJARATHI MAHAJAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING,
FORT ROAD,
KANNUR DISTRICT, PIN - 670001
BY ADV.
SRI.RAJEEV JYOTHISH GEORGE, GOVERNMENT PLEADER
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR
ADMISSION ON 10.07.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY
DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2025:KER:51174
W.P.(C) No.24446/2025
:2:
JUDGMENT
Dated this the 10th day of July, 2025 The petitioner has approached this Court aggrieved by the debit freeze imposed by the 2 nd respondent-Branch Manager of the HDFC Bank Ltd., with whom the petitioner is holding a Savings Bank account.
2. Standing Counsel entered appearance on behalf of the 2nd respondent and submitted that debit freeze effected was not on the basis of any requisition by police authorities. On the other hand, the Bank noticed suspicious transactions in the account. Therefore, in view of the directions given by the Central Government and RBI, the Bank has effected a debit freeze.
3. Considering the fact that debit freeze has been ordered on the basis of suspicious transactions, I am of the view 2025:KER:51174 W.P.(C) No.24446/2025 :3: that if the petitioner gives appropriate explanation to the Bank with regard to the bonafide of the transactions in his account, the Bank shall consider the same and take a decision on defreezing the account.
The writ petition is accordingly disposed of directing the petitioner to give an explanation regarding the transactions in the account of the petitioner within a period of two weeks. The Bank shall consider such explanation and take a decision on defreezing of account within a further period of two weeks.
Sd/-
N. NAGARESH JUDGE SR 2025:KER:51174 W.P.(C) No.24446/2025 :4: APPENDIX OF WP(C) 24446/2025 PETITIONER'S EXHIBITS:
Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE FIRST PAGE OF THE ACCOUNT STATEMENT OF PETITIONER ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT ON 15.11.2024.