The Kerala High Court has expressed grave concerns over a rising trend of petitions seeking to unfreeze bank accounts that were frozen in connection with cybercrime investigations. The court has raised suspicions that an organized cyber fraud syndicate may be operating to siphon off money through these legal maneuvers.
Court Suspects Organized Cyber Fraud Network
A bench led by Justice M A Abdul Hakhim made these observations while hearing a specific petition. The petition sought the defreezing of a bank account linked to a cybercrime case. The account belongs to Adhil Meeran of Pothanikkad, who has been in judicial custody since September 15 in connection with three separate online fraud cases.
Police investigations had revealed large and unusual transactions in Meeran's bank accounts. According to Meeran's own complaint, he was allegedly made a scapegoat by the real culprits. They reportedly convinced him to open multiple bank accounts under the guise of a business partnership and then obtained his credentials to commit online banking fraud.
Lawyers Face Contempt Proceedings
The court's scrutiny intensified when it was discovered that the petition to unfreeze Meeran's accounts was filed on November 18 by advocates T P Rinshad and Shakeeb Chukkan, allegedly without Meeran's knowledge or authorization. This came to light after another lawyer representing Meeran submitted a letter to the High Court registry.
The letter included a copy of Meeran's complaint before the Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) court in Tripunithura, where he stated he had not authorized anyone to file such a petition on his behalf. He also named four individuals who he claims trapped him in the case.
Taking a serious view of this, the High Court directed its registry to issue show-cause notices to lawyers Rinshad and Chukkan. The notices demand an explanation on why criminal contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them. Their explanations must be submitted by January 15.
Systemic Safeguards and Future Directions
The bench noted with concern that a large number of similar petitions are being filed, often by young individuals through young lawyers, seeking the release of frozen funds from cybercrime cases. The court stated that if the allegations in this case are true, it points to the operation of a crime syndicate.
To curb potential misuse, the High Court has instituted a new verification measure. The court has directed its registry to ensure that the Station House Officer (SHO) of the police station having jurisdiction over the petitioner's address is made a party in all such petitions. This step is intended to help verify the genuineness of the petitions and the petitioners' claims.
In further actions, the court suo motu impleaded the Secretary of the Kerala Bar Council in the petition and requested the Advocate General to assist the court. The petition has been adjourned for further hearing to January 20.
