Ajay Pratheeb v. The State of Tamilnadu Rep by

ORDER The prayer in the Criminal Original Petition is to defreeze the petitioner's current account No.921020005563153, which was frozen on 30.01.2026. Page1 of 4

¶2Upon hearing the learned counsel on either side and perusing the materials records of the case, it can be seen that the complaint was registered against the petitioner that he received a loan of Rs.10,00,000/- from the de facto complainant through Banking transaction by way of RTGS. It is the further case of the complainant that the petitioner has given forged security documents and let the de facto complainant to believe that the same are true. On the strength of it, the loan was advanced. However, the security turned to be fake and the petitioner also did not repay the same and therefore the case was registered in Crime No.20 of 2026 for the alleged offence under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 351(2), and 3(5) of BNS and the same is under investigation. Pending investigation, the aforesaid Bank account is freezed.

¶3The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that it was only a loan and before even it can be repaid, the criminal case was lodged. There is absolutely no criminality in the same, when the matter is civil in nature. The current account is operated with reference to the business of the petitioner and the petitioner is also a cancer patient needing to operate the Bank account.

¶4Per contra, the learned Government Advocate (Crl. Side) would submit that the sum of Rs.10,00,000/- was taken through banking channels. Page2 of 4

¶5I have considered the rival submissions made on either side and perused the material records of the case. The grievance of the petitioner can be redressed while safeguarding de facto complainant by disposing of the criminal original petition on the following directions:

i) A sum of Rs.10,00,000/- in the aforesaid Bank Account No. 921020005563153 shall be kept as reserve and over and above the same, the petitioner can be permitted to operate the Bank account.

ii) A copy of this order shall be presented to the Bank concerned and the Bank can check the balance dues and as and when the amount available in the account crosses Rs.10,00,000/-, it can permit the petitioner to operate the Bank account, while maintaining the reserve of Rs.10,00,000/-.

¶6With the above directions, the Criminal Original Petition is disposed of. 03-07-2026 Index: No Speaking order PVS To

1.The Inspector of Police, T-10, Thirumullaivoyal Police Station, Chennai - 600 062.

2.The Public Prosecutor, High Court, Madras. Page3 of 4 CRLoOPoNo.o16919oofo2026 D.BHARATHAoCHAKRAVARTHY,oJ. PVS CRLoOPoNo.o16919oofo2026 03-07-2026 Page4oofo4

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 03-07-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY Ajay Pratheeb ..Petitioner(s) Vs 1.The State of Tamilnadu Rep by the Inspector of Police, T-10, Thirumullaivoyal Police Station, Chennai - 600 062. 2.The Manager Axis Bank, Thiruvanmiyur Branch, Chennai - 600 041. ..Respondent(s) To direct the 2nd Respondent Bank to defreeze the petitioners current account No.921020005563153 which was frozen on 30.01.2026 and pass such further or other orders as this Honourable Court deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case. For Petitioner(s): M/s.Padmaja Mohan For Respondent(s): Mr.R.Rajasekaran, G.A.(Crl. Side), For R1