Identity Of Petitioner Must Be Verified Through SHO In Bank Account Defreezing Cases: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court on Friday (13 February) ordered that no writ petition or similar plea seeking defreezing of bank accounts shall be entertained unless the Station House Officer (SHO) concerned is made a party respondent.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M, passed the order in a suo motu Judicial Practice and Procedure proceeding initiated by the High Court.

The Bench directed the Registry not to accept any petition seeking defreezing of bank accounts unless the SHO of the police station having jurisdiction over the petitioner's address is impleaded as a respondent. The Court further mandated that, before passing any order in such matters, the Public Prosecutor must verify the identity of the petitioner through the concerned SHO.

Additionally, an affidavit must be filed by the SHO confirming the proper identity of the writ petitioner.

The Court has directed the Registrar General to circulate the order to the Director General of Police (DGP) for information and compliance. The order is also to be circulated among all judges of the High Court.

The DGP has been instructed to further circulate the order to all Station House Officers, Superintendents of Correctional Homes, and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Prisons to ensure uniform compliance across the State.

Case Title: Suo Motu v State of Kerala

Case No: JPP No. 1/ 2026

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 101

Counsel for Petitioner: Nayananpally Ramola

Counsel for Respondent: P Narayanan (Sr. GP)