Bank Account Frozen, Lien Marked or Digital Banking Suspended

What to do now

1. Visit the branch where your account is held (or any designated branch) with ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN), passbook and statements.
2. Ask the bank for the type of restriction (hold / suspension / seizure), the reference number and, where it can lawfully share it, the requesting authority.
3. Submit a written explanation showing the disputed credit is bonafide, with supporting documents — this is what starts the CFCFRMS grievance.

Hold vs. Suspension vs. Seizure — know what you are facing

Step-by-step process to get the restriction reviewed

1. 01

   Visit your bank branch

   Approach the branch where the account is held or any designated branch. Carry identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN) and your passbook/statement. A senior citizen, specially-abled or terminally-ill account holder may send an authorised representative with proper documentation.

2. 02

   Submit a written explanation to the bank

   Give a written application justifying that the transaction(s) that triggered the restriction are legitimate, attaching proof — invoices, salary slips, agreements, statements. Use the sample application at the end of this guide.

3. 03

   Bank conducts CDD / EDD

   The bank carries out Customer Due Diligence and Enhanced Due Diligence per RBI norms. If satisfied of your bonafides, it submits a formal grievance on the NCRP-CFCFRMS Grievance Redressal Module on your behalf — within 7 calendar days of your complaint.

4. 04

   Grievance assigned to the Investigating Officer (IO)

   The concerned SHO assigns the grievance to the IO / authorised Police Officer, with intimation to the District Grievance Officer. If your account is linked to holds from multiple states/UTs, it is routed to each relevant IO.

5. 05

   IO verifies — preferably by video conference

   The IO issues a notice (physical or electronic) to verify your case, preferably via video conference, so you need not appear in person unless an FIR is registered. A bank representative may join. You get up to 15 days to present your case.

6. 06

   IO decides within 15 days

   If satisfied, the IO directs the bank to remove the hold / restore the account within 15 calendar days of receiving the grievance. If not satisfied, the IO must record reasons and communicate them to you by SMS/email within the same window.

7. 07

   Escalate: District then State Grievance Officer

   If the IO does not act in 15 days or you are dissatisfied, file a review request within 15 days at your bank branch — it escalates to the District Grievance Officer (Addl. SP / Dy SP), who decides in 15 days. If still unsatisfied, appeal to the State Grievance Officer (ADG / IG / DIG) within 15 days.

8. 08

   Approach the jurisdictional court at any time

   You (or someone on your behalf) can approach the jurisdictional court for restoration at any stage — even before exhausting the police-level process. Several High Courts have held that an NCRP complaint copy is sufficient and an FIR need not be insisted upon.

   CFCFRMS Grievance Redressal Portal

Key statutory timelines at a glance

• Bank to submit the grievance on CFCFRMS: within 7 calendar days of your complaint
• IO to decide or record reasons: within 15 calendar days of grievance submission
• You to file a review request if unsatisfied: within 15 calendar days of the IO’s decision
• District Grievance Officer to decide: within 15 calendar days of escalation
• State Grievance Officer to decide: within 15 calendar days of being notified
• IO to implement a higher officer’s order: within 2 calendar days
• Bank to furnish information when requested: within 2 calendar days
• Maximum hold without lawful continuation directions: 90 calendar days from the grievance date

High Court orders — no FIR required for restoration

Source: MHA SOP for NCRP-CFCFRMS, Annexure-III.

Legal remedies available (summary)

• Bank grievance + CFCFRMS — the first step; no court needed at this stage.
• IO / Police Officer review — verification (usually by video conference); direction to restore within 15 days.
• District & State Grievance Officers — two-level police-hierarchy escalation, each deciding within 15 days.
• Sections 497 / 498 / 503 BNSS — application in the jurisdictional Magistrate/Sessions court for release of frozen funds or account.
• Section 106 BNSS — interim custody of amounts to the victim in eligible cases.
• High Court writ petition — challenge a freeze/seizure as arbitrary or disproportionate.

Sample application to your bank

To,
The Branch Manager,
[Bank Name], [Branch]

Subject: Request to exercise Enhanced Due Diligence and file a grievance on NCRP-CFCFRMS for removal of the hold / restoration of my account [A/c No. __________].

Respected Sir/Madam,
I am the holder of the above account. On [date] I learnt that a hold / suspension / seizure has been placed on my account in connection with a cyber crime complaint. The credit(s) in question are bonafide, as shown by the enclosed documents [list]. I request the bank to conduct CDD/EDD and submit a grievance on the CFCFRMS Grievance Redressal Module on my behalf within the prescribed 7 days.

Enclosures: ID proof, statement, supporting documents.

Yours faithfully,
[Name] · [Signature] · [Contact] · [Date]

Documents to keep available

• Bank communication about the restriction, if available
• Account statement and records for the disputed transaction(s)
• Written explanation with proof of the bonafide credit (invoices, salary slips, agreements)
• NCRP acknowledgement or police/authority communication, if applicable
• Identity documents (Aadhaar, PAN) and authorisation letter if a representative acts for you

Requirements may vary by case and authority.

What not to do

• Do not share OTPs, passwords or banking credentials with anyone.
• Do not pay unknown “recovery” or “agent” who promise to unfreeze your account.
• Do not alter, fabricate or delete records — cooperate with verification instead.
• Do not miss the 15-day review windows; a missed deadline can cost you the escalation right.

Frequently asked questions

Official resources