The Rajasthan high court on March 19 held that banks cannot mechanically freeze entire accounts on directions of an investigation agency. It ruled that such action must be proportionate and limited to the disputed amount. The order came in a case involving filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt.
Justice Farjand Ali heard the matter and passed the order on March 19. The order was uploaded on March 28. The court directed that only the allegedly disputed sum of Rs. 30 crore be kept under restraint while the remaining funds in the bank accounts of Vikram and Shwetambari Bhatt must remain fully available.