D.Arikrishnan v. The State Rep By, the Superintendent of Police,

ORDER The Petitioner has filed this Writ Petition, praying to declare the action of the Respondents debit freezing the Savings Bank Account bearing Account No.1645155000046956 maintained with the 4th Respondent and Savings Bank Account bearing Account No.501320624 maintained with the 5th Respondent as illegal, arbitrary and consequently, direct the 4th Respondent to defreeze the Bank Account No.1645155000046956 and 5th Respondent to defreeze the Bank Account No.501320624 thereby enabling the Petitioner to operate the same.

¶2The Petitioner is operating his Bank Account with the 4th and 5th Respondents herein. While being so, the 3rd Respondent registered a First Information Report (FIR) as against the Petitioner in Crime No.244 of 2024 for the offences punishable under Section 275, 123 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 read with Section 24(1) of the Cigarettes and other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2023.

¶3Pursuant to the Registration of the above FIR, the 3rd Respondent requested the 4th and 5th Respondents to freeze the Petitioner's Account. Hence, the Petitioner's Account was freezed by the 4th and 5th Respondents herein.

¶4Already, the Petitioner had filed a Writ Petition before this Court in W.P.No.9484 of 2025 and this Court dismissed the Writ Petition vide Order dated 19.03.2025 on the ground that the investigation is still pending in Crime No.244 of 2024 in which the Petitioner is arrayed as an accused.

¶5Till date, the investigation is pending in Crime No.244 of 2024.

¶6That apart, there is no record to show that the Petitioner has deposited the entire proceeds in his Bank Account. Further, the case of the prosecution is that the Petitioner was found in possession the Tobacco product worth about Rs.1,080/-.

¶7In view of the above, the 4th and 5th Respondents are directed to defreeze the Petitioner's Bank Account and permit the Petitioner to operate his Bank Account forthwith.

¶8With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

14.07.2026 arb To:

1.The Superintendent of Police, Government of Tamil Nadu, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore District.

2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Prohibition and Excise Wing, Cuddalore.

3.The Inspector of Police, Kadambuliyur Police Station, Kadambuliyur, Panruti, Cuddalore District.

4.The Public Prosecutor, High Court of Madras, Chennai – 600 104.

5.The Manager, Karur Vysa Bank, Panruti Branch, Cuddalore District – 607 106.

6.The Manager, Indian Bank, P.B.No.1715, Kumbakonam Road, Panruti, Cuddalore District – 601 106.

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J. arb

14.07.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 14.07.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN D.Arikrishnan, S/o.Devarasu ... Petitioner Vs. 1.The State Represented by The Superintendent of Police, Office of the Superintendent of Police, Cuddalore District. 2.The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Prohibition and Excise Wing, Cuddalore. 3.The Inspector of Police, Kadambuliyur Police Station, Kadambuliyur, Panruti, Cuddalore District. 4.The Manager, Karur Vysa Bank, Panruti Branch, Cuddalore District – 607 106. 5.The Manager, Indian Bank, P.B.No.1715, Kumbakonam Road, Panruti, Cuddalore District – 601 106. ... Respondents Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, for issuance of a Writ of Declaration, to declare the action of the Respondents debit freezing the saving bank account bearing Account No.1645155000046956 maintained with the 4th Respondent and savings bank account bearing Account No.501320624 maintained with the 5th Respondent as illegal, arbitrary and consequently, direct the 4th Respondent to defreeze the Bank Account No.1645155000046956 and 5th Respondent to defreeze the Bank Account No.501320624 thereby enabling the Petitioner to operate the same. For Petitioner : Mr.N.U.Pressanna For Respondents : For R1 to R3 : Mr.R.Ganesh Kumar Counsel for Government of Tamil Nadu (Criminal Side)