How to Unfreeze Bank Account in Cyber Crime – NCRP Cases

If your bank account has been frozen, seized, or had its digital banking services suspended due to a cyber crime complaint on NCRP-CFCFRMS, this guide explains the official grievance process, High Court-approved relief steps, and how to approach a court for restoration of your account.

Two Situations Covered Here:
(1) Suspension of Digital Banking Services — Your UPI, internet banking, mobile banking, or debit card is deactivated due to an NCRP complaint, but branch transactions may still be possible.

(2) Seizure / Full Freeze of Bank Account — Your account is completely seized under Section 106 of BNSS 2023, blocking all access including branch operations. This is more serious and requires urgent action.

Both situations are addressed under Section 10.2 of the MHA SOP on NCRP-CFCFRMS (dated 02.01.2026). The steps below apply to both, with the court remedy available at any stage.

Three-Level Escalation Path to Unfreeze

1
Investigating Officer (IO) / Authorised Police Officer First level — must decide within 15 calendar days of grievance
2
District Grievance Officer (Addl. SP / Dy SP rank) If IO doesn't act in 15 days, or if you are unsatisfied — must decide within 15 days
3
State Grievance Officer (ADG / IG / DIG rank) Appeal within 15 days of District Officer's decision — must decide within 15 days
Jurisdictional Court — Available at Any Stage You can approach court at any time — you do not have to exhaust all police-level remedies first

Step-by-Step Process to Unfreeze Your Bank Account

1

Visit Your Bank Branch and Submit a Written Application

Go to the branch where your account is held or any designated branch. Submit a written explanation of why your account was not involved in any cyber fraud. Carry identity proof, passbook, bank statements, and all supporting documents. A senior citizen, specially abled person, or terminally ill account holder may send an authorised representative.

2

Bank Conducts CDD/EDD and Submits Grievance on CFCFRMS

The bank will conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) as per RBI Master Directions. If convinced of the legitimacy of your credentials and transactions, the bank will submit a formal grievance on the NCRP-CFCFRMS Grievance Redressal Module within 7 calendar days, attaching your explanation and all supporting documents.

3

Grievance Assigned to the IO Who Ordered the Freeze

The grievance is automatically assigned to the IO or Police Officer who issued the direction for suspension of digital banking or seizure of your account. If multiple officers across different states issued directions, the grievance goes to each of them — with notification to the concerned State and District Grievance Officers.

4

IO Conducts Verification — Preferably via Video Conference

The IO will seek any additional information required and preferably conduct verification via video conference rather than summoning you in person. The IO may also seek assistance from the police station in your area (using the CIAR module on the Samanvaya Platform) to facilitate verification without requiring you to travel.

5

IO Orders Account Restoration or Suspension Lift (Within 15 Days)

If satisfied, the IO will direct the bank to release the seized account or re-enable digital banking services within 15 calendar days, while keeping any disputed amount on hold if needed. The decision is updated on the CFCFRMS portal and communicated to the District and State Grievance Officers. If unsatisfied, the IO must record reasons within 15 days and communicate to you by SMS/email.

6

If IO Fails to Act — Automatic Escalation to District Grievance Officer

If the IO does not act within 15 calendar days, the grievance is automatically notified to the District Grievance Officer on the 15th day. You may also file a manual review request within 15 calendar days of receiving the IO's decision if you are dissatisfied. The District Grievance Officer will decide within 15 more days.

7

Appeal to State Grievance Officer

If dissatisfied with the District Grievance Officer's decision to continue the seizure or suspension, you may appeal to the State Grievance Officer (rank: ADG / IG / DIG) within 15 calendar days of that decision. The State Grievance Officer reviews the full case, may seek additional details, and will pass instructions to the IO within 15 days of being notified.

Approach the Jurisdictional Court — Available at Any Time

At any point — even before exhausting the police-level grievance process — you or any person on your behalf can approach the jurisdictional Court for restoration of digital banking services or unfreezing of your account. Multiple High Courts across India (Himachal Pradesh, Punjab & Haryana, Madras, Guwahati, Calcutta, Sikkim) have issued orders clarifying that courts need not insist on an FIR being registered — an NCRP complaint copy is sufficient. See the High Court orders section below.

 Key Timelines — Account Unfreeze

  • Bank to submit grievance on CFCFRMS: within 7 calendar days of your complaint
  • IO to verify and decide (restore or record reasons): within 15 calendar days of grievance receipt
  • You to file review request (if unsatisfied with IO): within 15 calendar days of IO's decision
  • District Grievance Officer to decide: within 15 calendar days of escalation
  • IO to implement District Officer's instructions: within 2 calendar days
  • Bank to furnish requested information: within 2 calendar days
  • State Grievance Officer appeal window: within 15 days of District Officer's decision
  • State Grievance Officer to decide: within 15 calendar days of being notified
  • IO to implement State Officer's instructions: within 2 calendar days
  • Court petition: can be filed at any time, no prior exhaustion of police remedies required

High Court Orders on Cyber Crime Account Freeze

 Multiple High Courts Have Issued Favourable Orders — No FIR Required

High Court Date Key Directions
Himachal Pradesh 26.03.2024 Courts not to insist on FIR; cases to be disposed on basis of NCRP complaint copy + ATR by Cyber PS
Punjab & Haryana 07.06.2024 No FIR required; Action Taken Report by Cyber PS; NOC from concerned bank; restoration subject to Supurdginama + Indemnity Bond
Madras 01.07.2024 No FIR required; Magistrate to call report u/s 503 BNSS confirming nexus between frozen amount and complainant amount; restoration based on NCRP complaint copy
Guwahati 04.10.2024 No FIR required; disposal of frozen/blocked money based on police report confirming authenticity and ownership
Calcutta 10.03.2025 No FIR required; Action Taken Report; use Section 503 BNSS; restoration based on NCRP complaint copy
Sikkim 01.07.2025 Courts not to insist for FIR in NCRP complaints

Source: MHA SOP for NCRP-CFCFRMS, Custody, Restoration of Money and Grievance Redressal (02.01.2026), Annexure-III.

Available Legal Remedies — Summary

Bank Grievance + CFCFRMS

First step — submit written explanation to bank; bank files on CFCFRMS. No court needed at this stage.

IO / Police Officer Review

IO verifies and can direct bank to restore account within 15 days. Video conference based.

District & State Grievance Officers

Two-level escalation within the police hierarchy. Each must decide in 15 days.

Section 497/498/503 BNSS — Court Application

File application in the jurisdictional Magistrate/Sessions Court for release of frozen funds or account.

Section 106 BNSS — Interim Custody

For amounts below Rs. 50,000 or linked to a single victim complaint — interim custody to victim possible.

High Court Writ Petition

File a writ petition challenging the freeze/seizure as arbitrary or disproportionate in the High Court.

 Special Case: If You Are the Victim Whose Account Was Frozen

In some cases, banks may mistakenly seize or restrict the account of the victim (the person who filed the cyber crime complaint) as a precautionary measure. If this has happened to you, the bank must release your seized account immediately on your request — as long as it does not violate any separate lawful direction. You should carry your NCRP complaint acknowledgement copy when approaching the bank. No separate grievance filing is needed in such cases.

 Important: Don't Delay — Time Limits Apply

Review requests at each level must be filed within 15 calendar days of receiving a decision. If you miss the deadline, you may lose the right to escalate within the police hierarchy and may only have recourse to the court. Given the multiple 15-day windows, act as quickly as possible at every stage. If you are unable to navigate the process, consult a cyber lawyer immediately.

Sample Application to Bank for Unfreezing Account / Removing Suspension

Submit this written application to your bank branch requesting them to file a grievance on CFCFRMS for restoration of your account or digital banking services.

To, The Branch Manager, [Name of Bank], [Branch Name & Address] Date: _______________ Subject: Urgent Request to File Grievance on NCRP-CFCFRMS for Restoration of Seized / Frozen Bank Account / Digital Banking Services Respected Sir/Madam, I, [Full Name], am the account holder of [Savings/Current] Account No. [Account Number], IFSC: [IFSC Code] at your branch. I am writing to bring to your urgent attention that my bank account has been [seized / had digital banking services suspended] pursuant to a direction issued in connection with a complaint filed on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP / cybercrime.gov.in) under the CFCFRMS system. Account Details: - Account Holder Name: [Full Name] - Account Number: [Account Number] - Account Type: [Savings / Current] - Branch: [Branch Name, City] - IFSC Code: [IFSC Code] - Nature of Restriction: [Complete Account Seizure / Suspension of Digital Banking / UPI Blocked / Internet Banking Suspended] - Date of Restriction (if known): [Date] - Any Reference / Direction Number (if known): [Details if available] - NCRP Complaint Number (if any received intimation): [Number, if known] I wish to categorically state that: 1. I am NOT involved in any cyber crime or cyber fraud. 2. I am NOT the accused/suspect in any case. 3. The amounts credited to my account are entirely legitimate and arise from: [Describe clearly, for example: "My salary from [Employer Name], employment period [dates]" — attach salary slip. OR "Payment received from [Name/Company] for [services/goods/loan repayment]" — attach invoice/agreement. OR "Transfer from my own another account at [Bank Name]" — attach bank statement. OR "Proceeds from sale of [property/asset]" — attach sale deed/agreement.] I request you to: 1. Conduct Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) as required. 2. File a formal grievance on my behalf on the NCRP-CFCFRMS Grievance Redressal Module within 7 calendar days as mandated by the MHA SOP dated 02.01.2026 (Section 10.2). 3. Include all supporting documents and my full written explanation in the grievance. 4. Seek the earliest possible verification by the concerned Investigating Officer via video conference. 5. Update me via SMS/email on all communications, notices, decisions, and the grievance reference number. I am available for verification via video conference at any time. I am also willing to cooperate fully with any investigation. The restriction on my account is causing severe hardship — I am unable to [pay salary to employees / meet medical expenses / make essential payments / run my business / receive my pension, etc.]. I request you to treat this as a matter of extreme urgency. Thanking you, Yours faithfully, [Full Name] [Complete Postal Address] [Mobile Number] [Email ID] [Aadhaar Number / PAN Number] Enclosures: 1. Self-attested copy of Aadhaar Card / PAN Card 2. Copy of Bank Passbook / Bank Statement (last 6 months showing source of all disputed credits) 3. Proof of source of funds (as applicable): a. Salary slip / Form 16 / Appointment Letter b. Business invoices / Agreements / GST returns c. Loan agreement / repayment schedule / sanction letter d. Property sale agreement / registration deed e. Any other relevant proof 4. Any intimation/notice received from the bank or police regarding the freeze/seizure 5. Authorisation letter (if filed by representative — applicable for senior citizens, specially abled persons, or terminally ill account holders)

Legal Basis

The grievance and restoration process for seized accounts and suspended digital banking services is governed by Section 10.2 of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for NCRP-CFCFRMS, Custody, Restoration of Money and Grievance Redressal, issued by MHA, GoI (02.01.2026). The power to seize accounts is derived from Section 106 of BNSS 2023 (equivalent to Section 102 of CrPC). Court-based remedies for disposal of held or seized amounts are available under Sections 497, 498, and 503 of BNSS 2023 (Sections 451, 457 CrPC). The State and District-level Grievance Officers are constituted under the SOP framework with binding timelines enforceable under the supervision of the MHA-constituted Supervisory Committee.

Facing a Frozen or Seized Bank Account?

Rupesh Mittal is a recognised Cyber Lawyer in Hyderabad with expertise in NCRP-CFCFRMS bank freezes, account seizures, and court petitions for account restoration across India.

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