$~49 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010357532026 + W.P.(C) 11117/2026 & CM APPL. 51385/2026 AARTI .....Petitioner Through: Mr Abhishek Wadhwa, Mr Adarsh Singhal, Mr Kamal Joshi, Ms Somyaa Gurung and Ms Kashish Arora, Advs. versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondent Through: Mr Ayush Gaur, SPC with Ms Ridhi Kapoor, Ms Shivranjani and MrVarun Parashar, Advs. for R-1 Mr. Sumit Sharma, Adv. for R2 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH O R D E R % 06.08.2026 1. This is a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following prayers :- “• the Respondent No. 2 Bank to immediately de-freeze the bank account of the Petitioner, i.e.: Current Account bearing number 27440200002336 IFSC: BARBOSHADEL Branch: Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi or, in the alternative, restrict the freeze strictly to the specific This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2026 at 11:57:43 layer amounts under dispute and allow the Petitioner to operate the remaining balance; • the Respondent Authorities to expeditiously complete any verification or investigation pertaining to the impugned layer amounts and issue an NOC to the Petitioner, so that the Petitioner is not made to face any continuous commercial hardship, • the Respondent Bank to expeditiously remove any lien on the bank account of the Petitioner if her direct involvement is not found in any cyber fraud as alleged,…” 2. The brief facts of the present case are that the petitioner maintains an account with the respondent No. 2 bank which she utilizes for her overall financial affairs, primarily for her business affairs and related day-to-day financial transactions. 3. The petitioner’s bank account had been frozen and she was restrained from operating the account. She was advised by the bank officials that her account was frozen on the basis of instructions received through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (“NCCRP”) and on the basis of cybercrime complaints across multiple state police jurisdictions. 4. However, she claims she was not provided with any written order, copies of police complaints, FIRs, or directions issued by any Court, police authority, investigating agency, or other authority. 5. For the said reasons, issue notice. 6. Mr. Gaur and Mr. Sharma, learned counsels accept notice for respondent Nos. 1 and 2 respectively. 7. There is nobody appearing on behalf of the respondent No.3. This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2026 at 11:57:43 8. Mr. Sharma, learned counsel for the Bank of Baroda/ respondent No. 2, states that the disputed amount is Rs. 12,889.51/-. 9. I am of the view that the freezing of an account is an action entailing serious consequences creating hardships for the petitioner herein as the same happens to be the salary account of the petitioner and the same will result in extreme hardships and inconvenience to the petitioner. The respondent No. 2 cannot be permitted to take such harsh measures without any application of mind. 10. For the said reasons, the impugned action of account freezing in the present case is disproportionate and an arbitrary exercise of power affecting the fundamental rights of the petitioner. The impugned action is without due application of mind as an indiscriminate blanket freeze has been imposed on the account of the petitioner for an allegedly suspicious entry of a meagre amount. 11. In light of the facts discussed hereinabove, subject to the lien of 12,889.51/-, the petitioner will be permitted to operate the account. 12. Additionally, the petitioner will also give proof of the address where the petitioner is residing. The same shall be verified within 1 week. 13. On compliance with the above, the account is to be de-freezed. 14. The petitioner is at liberty to initiate action in accordance with the SoP for defreezing of the balance amount of Rs. 12,889.51/-. 15. The petition is accordingly disposed of. JASMEET SINGH, J AUGUST 6, 2026/sp This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 17/08/2026 at 11:57:43