ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued orders to banks not to block or freeze bank accounts of citizens without authentic legal reason. The case of blocking the bank account of citizen by bank on its own during NCCIA inquiry came up for hearing in the court. Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir issued 6-page written decision. According to written decision fine of Rs 3 lac was imposed on private bank on admitting the mistake of blocking the bank account without any reason and on its sweet will. The decision said banks can not freeze or block bank accounts of citizens without authentic legal reason. The private bank should pay Rs 3 lac against the expenses incurred by account holder in connection with legal proceedings. It was further said in the court’s decision that State bank should take steps against affecting the citizens by banks by blocking the bank accounts without reason in future. State bank should see this matter and consider to issue guide lines to all banks. The court said it should be made clear in the guide lines of pre-cautionary measures that citizens cannot be restrained from using bank account without legal justification. ONLINE
