$~104 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010379952026 + W.P.(C) 11828/2026 RUKMANI SINGH .....Petitioner Through: Adv Ankit Kumar, Adv Shubh Vashisht, Adv Ayushi kaushik, Adv Abhishek Suchari versus UNION OF INDIA & ORS. .....Respondent Through: Mr. Himansshu Upadhyay, Adv. for R2 Mr. Shivam Bhardwaj (GP), Ms. Apoorva Kasturay, Adv. for R1 Ms. Arti Bansal, CGSC, Ms. Shruti Goel Adv CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASMEET SINGH O R D E R % 29.09.2026 1. This is a writ petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking the following prayers:- “a. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction directing the Respondent-3 to immediately de-freeze and restore full operation of the Petitioner's bank account 0128000100597072 IFSC: PUNB0012800 maintained with Punjab National Bank; b. Declare the action of freezing the Petitioner's Service bank account as illegal, arbitrary, unconstitutional, and violative of Articles 14, 19(1)(g), and 21 of the 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 09/10/2026 at 13:24:10 Constitution of India;...” 2. The brief facts of the case are that the petitioner has maintained her savings bank account bearing account No. 0128000100597072 with Punjab National Bank, Lodhi Road Branch since 08.08.2009. The same been frozen without issuance of any prior notice to the petitioner. Hence, the present petition has been filed. 3. In the present case, the disputed amount is Rs. 2650/-. 4. The entire account of the petitioner was put on freeze stating that there were restrictions pursuant to cyber crime portal, requisitions originating from distant police jurisdictions (including Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka Cyber Police Stations). 5. The respondent has filed a Counter-Affidavit dated 07.09.2026, where paragraph 6 reads as under:- 6. A perusal of the same shows that for a disputed amount of Rs. 2650/-, a 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 09/10/2026 at 13:24:10 lien has been placed on the entire account. 7. I am of the view that the freezing of the account is an action entailing serious consequences creating hardships for the petitioner and the same will result in inconvenience to the petitioner. The respondent No.3/bank cannot be permitted to take such harsh measures without complying with the Principles of Natural Justice and any application of mind. 8. For the said reasons, prima facie, the case and balance of convenience lies in favour of the petitioner. A blanket freeze imposed on the account of the petitioner for an allegedly suspicious entry of a meagre amount will lead to irreparable loss and injury to the petitioner, which cannot be compensated in terms of money. 9. Subject to the respondent No. 3 maintaining a lien on Rs. 2650/-, the petitioner shall be permitted to operate the bank account bearing number 0128000100597072 with the respondent No. 3 bank. 10. Additionally, the petitioner is entitled to avail its rights under the SOP for unfreezing the amount of Rs. 2650/- as well. 11. With these directions, the petition is allowed and disposed of. JASMEET SINGH, J SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 / (MS) 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 09/10/2026 at 13:24:10