Delhi HC Directs Axis Bank To Review Questionable Debit Freeze

Delhi's District Courts

The Delhi High Court has directed Axis Bank to treat the petitioner’s writ as a formal representation regarding the operation of their bank account.

The court instructed the bank to hold a hearing with the petitioner and make a reasoned decision within 15 days to ensure a fair review and quick resolution of the account-related issues.

The dispute began when Axis Bank, on March 27, 2024, informed the petitioner that ₹1,15,799 would be frozen based on an order from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). However, the bank went beyond this directive and froze the petitioner’s entire account.

Advocate Ayush Jindal, representing the petitioner, argued that the petitioner only wanted to continue using their account, with the freeze applying only to the amount specified in the ED’s Provisional Attachment Order from March 26, 2024. The goal was to ensure that only the specified sum remained frozen while the rest of the account remained operational.

Justice Dharmesh Sharma emphasized the need for Axis Bank to carefully review the matter and directed the bank to issue a reasoned order by September 12, 2024.

The petitioner’s plea also included a request for directions against both Axis Bank and the Directorate of Enforcement, focusing on allowing the petitioner to use their account except for the amount frozen under the ED’s order.