Freezing of Bank Accounts — What You Should Know

The Allahabad High Courtin Marufa Begum v. Union of India & Others (2025)clarified that under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS 2023) — earlier Section 102 CrPC —The 
police can freeze a bank account linked to suspicious transactions
● without prior court permission,
but must report the action to a Magistrate immediately.

● Supported by the Supreme Court’s view in Teesta Atul Setalvad v. State of Gujarat (2018), the ruling confirms that freezing is lawful when due process is observed.

If Your Account Is Frozen:

‣ The bank is usually following a legal direction.
‣ You can apply to the investigating officer or jurisdictional Magistrate for defreezing.
‣ Writ petitions may not succeed unless procedure is violated.

This judgment strikes a vital balance between investigative powers and an individual’s right to access lawful funds, especially in today’s era of digital transactions.