Authority: High Court of Judicature at Madras

Order Date: 07-07-2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Manogaran S/o. Sivalingam, residing at No.228, Pillayar Kovil Theru, Velanandal, Rajapalayam, Tiruvannamalai 606 755.
  • Respondents: (1) State represented by the Inspector of Police, Vettavalam Police Station, Tiruvannamalai District (Crime No.276/2024); (2) The Branch Manager, Central Bank of India, Tiruvannamalai Branch, Tiruvannamalai.
  • Petition: Filed under section 528 of the BNSS seeking defreeze of the petitioner’s savings bank account (Account No. SB-2135834462) which had been frozen in connection with Crime No.276 of 2024.
  • Background: The petitioner was also an accused in STC No.275 of 2025 for an offence under section 24(1) of the COTPA Act. On 29-10-2025 he pleaded guilty, a judgment on admission was passed, and he was convicted with a fine of Rs.200 and a default sentence of one week.
  • Petitioner’s Grievance: He contended that there is no allegation against him relating to the frozen bank account and therefore the freeze is unwarranted.

Court’s Observations and Directions

  • The Court noted the petitioner’s conviction in the COTPA matter but found no specific allegation linking him to the freezing of the bank account.
  • In view of the absence of any allegation, the Court allowed the Criminal Original Petition.
  • The second respondent, Central Bank of India, Tiruvannamalai Branch, is directed to defreeze the account bearing No. SB-2135834462 immediately.

Final Outcome

  • The savings bank account of the petitioner is to be defrozen forthwith by the Central Bank of India, Tiruvannamalai Branch.

Topics: Bank Account Freeze, Court Order, COTPA Conviction