An HDFC Bank salary account of Jaipur resident Aniket Singh Chouhan was frozen without prior notice, leaving him unable to access his funds. Learn full details, legal remedies, and complaint filing process here.
Complaint Summary : HDFC Bank Account Frozen – Aniket Singh Chouhan’s Salary Blocked Without Notice
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Aniket Singh Chouhan |
| Not disclosed | |
| Company/Brand | HDFC Bank |
| Complaint Type | Unauthorised Account Freeze / Salary Withheld |
| Product/Service | Salary Account – Malviya Nagar Branch, Jaipur |
| Account Number | Partially disclosed: ********3948 |
| Issue Description | Salary account frozen without prior notice; linked falsely to unrelated fraud |
| Date of Incident | 1 August 2025 – continuing |
| Reference Number | 22707250028080 |
| Amount Blocked | Approx. ₹6,500 + ongoing salary deposits |
| Company’s Response | Account frozen under alleged MHA instructions; no written order provided |
| Complainant Action | Filed RTI with MHA, approached RBI Ombudsman, police verification in progress |
| Status | Unresolved – Account remains frozen |
Full Case Write-up
On 1 August 2025, Jaipur resident Aniket Singh Chouhan, a salaried professional and HDFC Bank customer for over four years, discovered his salary account was suddenly frozen without any prior intimation. No SMS, no email, and no legal notice were issued before the freeze.
Initially, ₹11,000 was released, but soon after, even the remaining ₹6,500 balance was blocked, leaving his account at zero balance. Despite continuing salary credits, he has been unable to withdraw or use his funds for more than 56 days.
When he approached HDFC Customer Care and his branch, officials claimed the freeze was done under instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in relation to a cyber fraud case of ₹25 lakh involving a person named Mukesh Kumar. The complainant asserts he has no connection to this case and has never been given any written communication to justify the freeze.
The only information shared was a reference number – 22707250028080 – and he was directed to call 1930 (cybercrime helpline). Local police at Malpura Gate informed him that his account was flagged in connection with a larger fraud case, but no official documents or orders have been shared with him.
Meanwhile, his family has been financially distressed, especially with festival preparations affected due to frozen salary inflows.
Despite filing:
- An RTI with the MHA,
- A complaint with RBI Ombudsman, and
- Multiple follow-ups with HDFC,
no clarity has been provided, and his account remains locked.
How Choice4Voice.com Can Help
At Choice4Voice.com, we support customers facing unfair banking practices. In cases like Aniket’s, where accounts are frozen without transparency, we:
- Publish the issue to create social and media pressure on banks.
- Provide ready-to-use legal templates for RBI Ombudsman, Consumer Forum, and Cybercrime reporting.
- Guide on filing FIRs and escalation letters to ensure accountability.
- Assist complainants in getting written responses from banks and regulators.
Applicable Legal Remedies
- RBI Ombudsman (Banking Regulation)
- Unfair blocking of accounts without prior notice violates RBI’s guidelines.
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019
- Deficiency of service by HDFC Bank in failing to provide written notice and transparency.
- Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005
- Already filed with MHA to demand records of the freeze order.
- Writ Petition (High Court)
- Habeas corpus of financial rights – arbitrary freezing of account can be challenged.
- Police / Cybercrime Complaint
- To obtain closure report confirming complainant’s non-involvement.
Authorities & Departments to Approach
- RBI Banking Ombudsman – https://cms.rbi.org.in
- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) – RTI Filing for freeze order copy
- Jaipur Police – Cybercrime Unit
- District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum – Complaint under “Deficiency of Service”
Step-by-Step Complaint Filing Guide
- File RBI Ombudsman Complaint
- Visit RBI CMS Portal.
- Select “Account Frozen Without Notice”.
- Attach reference number, bank responses, and salary account details.
- Send Grievance Email to HDFC
- Email: grievance.redressal@hdfcbank.com
- Mention account number, complaint ID, and demand written freeze order.
- File RTI with MHA
- Through RTI Online portal: https://rtionline.gov.in.
- Ask: “Provide certified copy of directive/order sent to HDFC Bank to freeze account number ********3948.”
- Cybercrime Portal Escalation
- File at https://cybercrime.gov.in.
- Clarify that you are not involved and request case status.
- Approach Consumer Forum
- Draft complaint stating “deficiency in banking service” and attach all proofs.
Pre-Drafted Complaint Templates
1. FIR Draft (Police Station)
Subject: Request to Provide Written Order/Closure of False Freeze on My Salary Account
Respected Sir/Madam,
My HDFC salary account (No. ********3948, Malviya Nagar Branch, Jaipur) has been frozen without written order.
I am falsely linked to a cyber fraud case despite no involvement.
Kindly provide closure confirmation or written freeze order copy.
Request urgent relief.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
2. RBI Ombudsman Email Draft
To: crpc@rbi.org.in
Subject: Complaint Against HDFC Bank – Arbitrary Account Freeze
Dear Sir/Madam,
My HDFC salary account (********3948) has been frozen without any written order or prior intimation since 01-Aug-2025.
This has caused severe financial hardship. Please direct the bank to provide freeze order details and restore account access.
Regards,
[Your Name]
3. Cybercrime Portal Complaint Draft
Category: False Implication in Cybercrime Case
Details: My HDFC salary account was frozen citing cybercrime involvement of a person named Mukesh Kumar. I have no connection to this case. Kindly verify records and provide clearance.
About HDFC Bank
HDFC Bank is one of India’s largest private sector banks, headquartered in Mumbai, with over 7,800 branches and 20,000+ ATMs nationwide. While widely trusted, it has faced criticism for aggressive compliance actions, especially account freezes linked to suspected fraud cases.
Customer Care Contacts:
- Grievance Redressal Email: grievance.redressal@hdfcbank.com
- Nodal Officer Contact: available on HDFC official website
Author
Complainant: Aniket Singh Chouhan
Customer Care Executive @ Teleperformance | M.Com Graduate
FAQs
Q1. Why did HDFC Bank freeze Aniket Singh Chouhan’s account?
A1. HDFC claims it was on instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs related to a cyber fraud case, though no written order has been shared.
Q2. Can a bank freeze a salary account without notice?
A2. As per RBI guidelines, banks must inform customers in writing before freezing accounts, except under government orders.
Q3. What should I do if my salary account is frozen?
A3. Immediately contact the branch, demand a written freeze order, and escalate to RBI Ombudsman if unresolved.
Q4. How long can a bank legally freeze an account?
A4. Accounts can remain frozen until official investigation closure, but written communication is mandatory.
Q5. Is freezing an account without prior intimation legal?
A5. No, unless there is a valid court or government order, freezing without notice is a violation of RBI rules.
Q6. Can I file a consumer complaint against HDFC Bank?
A6. Yes, under the Consumer Protection Act, you can file for “deficiency in service”.
Q7. How to check if my account is linked to a cybercrime case?
A7. Visit your local cybercrime police station or file an online request at cybercrime.gov.in
Q8. Can RBI order banks to freeze accounts?
A8. Generally, freezes are ordered by enforcement agencies or government departments, not RBI directly.
Q9. Can I still receive salary in a frozen account?
A9. Salary may get credited, but withdrawals and transactions remain blocked.
Q10. What is the role of the Ministry of Home Affairs in bank freezes?
A10. MHA can instruct banks to freeze accounts if linked to fraud or national security cases.
Q11. How to file an RTI with MHA for account freeze?
A11. File at https://rtionline.gov.in, requesting a certified copy of the freeze order.
Q12. Can I approach court if my account is frozen unjustly?
A12. Yes, you can file a writ petition in High Court for relief.
Q13. What documents should I attach while filing an RBI Ombudsman complaint?
A13. Account details, reference number, branch communication, and proof of denial.
Q14. Can banks refuse to share freeze orders?
A14. No, customers have the right to demand a copy of any directive that impacts their account.
Q15. Is there a time limit for RBI Ombudsman to resolve complaints?
A15. Generally, the resolution takes 30–60 days.
Q16. What are my rights as a salary account holder?
A16. You have the right to access funds unless legally restricted, and to be informed of all freezes.
Q17. Can I open another salary account while one is frozen?
A17. Yes, you may request your employer to deposit salary into a different account.
Q18. What helpline can I call for cybercrime-related freezes?
A18. Call 1930, the national cybercrime helpline.
Q19. Can consumer forums order banks to release funds?
A19. Yes, district forums can order release of blocked funds if the freeze was unjustified.
Q20. Does Choice4Voice.com take up such cases?
A20. Yes, Choice4Voice.com helps publish, escalate, and guide complainants in resolving such issues.
