Published on: 17 November, 2025 23:10 IST
Citizens and small business owners across India are facing unexpected financial paralysis after Cyber Cell units began to freeze bank accounts allegedly linked to cybercrime investigations often without any prior warning, notice, or opportunity for the account holders to be heard. A growing chorus of complaints reveals that many innocent individuals are suddenly unable to access their hard-earned money, causing severe financial stress and uncertainty about their rights and recourse.
Advocate Tushar Khairnar, who is preparing a landmark Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court, says: “The lack of uniform guidelines and indefinite timelines for freezing and unfreezing accounts is violating fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21. My petition, filed under Article 32, seeks a transparent process and fixed timeline for such actions by investigative agencies.”
To spotlight the human impact, affidavits from affected account holders nationwide are being collected. These documents aim to show the Supreme Court how arbitrary freezes disrupt lives and businesses, demanding a fair, standardized approach from authorities.
Legal experts emphasize that while Cyber Cells have the power to freeze accounts under Section 102 of the CrPC in suspected cybercrime cases, the absence of a clear notification process and defined timeline is sparking unprecedented hardship. The issue touches people from all walks of life and calls attention to the urgent need for regulatory reform to protect both public interest and individual rights.