$~84 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010333782026 + W.P.(C) 10448/2026 ANIL PANWAR ....Petitioner Through: Mr. Kundu, Adv. versus THE BRANCH MANAGER SBI BANK BRANCH & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Mr. Santosh Kumar Rout SC for SBI Adv. Shagun Shahi Chugh, Adv Varun Chugh and Adv Ayushi Agarwal for R4-5 Mr. Abhishek Baid, Mr. Praneet Das, Mr. Ravinder Kumar, Advs. for RBI/R3 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH O R D E R % 14.08.2026 1. This is a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following prayers:- “A. Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction, preferably in the nature of Mandamus, directing the Respondents to defreeze and restore the normal operation of the Petitioner’s Savings Bank Account bearing No. 2001802843 maintained with State Bank of India, Rohini Court Branch, Delhi and consequently withdraw/ revoke the debit hold instructions issued in respect of the Petitioner’s Savings Bank Account bearing No. 2001802843, pursuant to Reference/Acknowledgement Nos. 23101260007175 and 20802260015102. B. Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing 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 22/08/2026 at 10:47:01 the Respondents to remove all adverse remarks, adverse risk classification, “Suspicious Account” tagging, debit restrictions and all consequential limitations, if any, recorded against the Petitioner’s Savings Bank Account and restore the account to its normal banking status. C. Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing the Respondents to restore/re-link the Petitioner’s registered mobile number(s), including Mobile No. 9810066126, with the Petitioner’s Savings Bank Account and remove all consequential restrictions, thereby restoring the Petitioner’s access to all banking, mobile banking, UPI and digital banking facilities. D. Issue an appropriate writ, order or direction directing the Respondents to communicate the basis of the debit hold instructions and to decide the Petitioner’s representations dated 05.03.2026, 15.05.2026 and 14.07.2026 by passing a reasoned order, if the same have not already been decided...” 2. The brief facts of the present case are that the petitioner is a practising advocate maintaining a savings bank account bearing No. 2001802843 with the respondent No. 1 Bank. The said bank account is the petitioner’s primary savings account through which he receives his professional income, maintains his savings and discharges his day-to-day financial obligations. 3. On 12.01.2026, a debit hold of Rs. 50,000/- was placed on the petitioner’s account and thereafter on 20.02.2026 another debit hold of Rs. 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 22/08/2026 at 10:47:01 1,999/- was imposed. However, the petitioner was never informed of the reasons for imposing the said debit freeze. Despite repeated requests his account is still under debit freeze. Hence the present petition. 4. Mr. Kundu, learned counsel for the petitioner, has handed over a short affidavit of the responded No. 1-2/Bank and has drawn my attention to the paragraph No. 6 of the same wherein the disputed amount is stated to be Rs. 1,02,998/-. As per the affidavit, there is no other disputed amount qua the account of the petitioner. 5. I am of the view that freezing of an account is an action entailing serious consequences creating hardships for the petitioner in the smooth functioning of his day-to-day personal and professional life. The respondent No. 1-2/Bank cannot be permitted to take such harsh measures without complying with the principles of natural justice and without any application of mind. 6. For the said reasons, I am of the view that the impugned action of account freezing in the present case is not only in clear violation of the principles of natural justice but also disproportionate and an arbitrary exercise of power thereby striking a blow at the fundamental rights of the petitioner. The impugned action is without due application of mind. Therefore, the action deserves to be set aside. 7. Subject to the lien of Rs. 1,02,998/-, the petitioner shall be permitted to operate his account bearing No. 2001802843 with the respondent No. 1. The petitioner shall also be entitled to take steps under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for defreezing of the said amount. 8. In this view of the matter, learned counsel for the petitioner, does not press the petition and the petition stands disposed of. 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 22/08/2026 at 10:47:01 9. The Counter affidavit handed over in Court today is taken on record. JASMEET SINGH, J AUGUST 14, 2026/AS 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 22/08/2026 at 10:47:01