How to Address a Frozen Bank Account by Police Order in India
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Introduction:
Having a bank account frozen by police order can be a stressful and confusing experience. This article outlines the steps one should take to address and resolve this issue, using the fictional case of Rishi, a college student, as an example.
Understanding the Problem:
Rishi, a typical college student, found his bank account frozen one morning without any prior notice. Upon investigation, he discovered that his account had been frozen due to an FIR (First Information Report) filed by the police in Maharashtra, citing fraud and criminal breach of trust.
Steps to Resolve the Issue:
Initial Communication with Police:
Write a detailed letter to the investigating officer explaining your innocence and lack of involvement in the alleged crime.
Send copies of this letter to the officer-in-charge of the police station and the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
Right to Information (RTI) Application:
If there is no response from the police within seven days, file an RTI application to seek information about the status of your case and the action taken on your letter.
RTI applications can be filed online at RTI Online or offline by sending the application to the DSP’s office and the police station.
Legal Recourse:
If the police do not respond or fail to resolve the issue, identify the court with jurisdiction over the police station and hire a local advocate.
The advocate will file a petition before the magistrate, detailing your non-involvement and requesting the unfreezing of your account.
The court may direct the police to review the case, and if no evidence is found against you, the account should be unfrozen.
Dealing with Bank Delays:
If the bank delays unfreezing the account after receiving police instructions, file a complaint with the RBI’s Banking Ombudsman online, highlighting the bank’s inaction.
Forward a copy of this complaint to the bank manager to expedite the process.
Preventive Measures:
To avoid similar issues in the future, consider maintaining separate accounts for different purposes. Use one account for primary savings and another with minimal funds for activities like online gaming or betting. This segregation can protect your main savings from being affected by any potential issues with specific transactions or apps.
Conclusion:
Addressing a frozen bank account involves clear communication with the police, leveraging the RTI Act for transparency, seeking legal assistance when necessary, and involving the Banking Ombudsman for any delays by the bank. By following these steps, one can navigate through the process and ensure the timely resolution of such issues.If you need legal assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Thanks for watching, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more legal tips and stories!
RTI website reference: https://rtionline.gov.in/
Banking ombudsman:https://cms.rbi.org.in/cms/indexpage.html#eng