Calcutta HC questions HDFC Bank over freeze on Abhishek Banerjee account

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday heard a petition by Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee challenging the freezing of his personal bank account and the blocking of his debit and credit cards by HDFC Bank. LiveLaw reports that the court recorded the bank's assurance that it would conduct an in-person KYC at Banerjee's residence before allowing account operation. The bank said the restriction was linked to KYC completion and proposed to visit his home. Justice Krishna Rao directed that necessary documents be handed over and noted the KYC could be done on Thursday itself.

National Herald reports that the court questioned the bank's changing stand, noting the bank had not cited pending Enforcement Directorate cases in its two communications to Banerjee. The judge asked whether the bank could change its position and whether it was "very keen to see Banerjee in person" instead of using e-KYC. Banerjee's lawyer Ayan Bhattacharjee argued the bank's conduct was "rife with high-handedness" and sought costs. The court directed Banerjee to submit documents and asked the bank to collect them from his residence. The matter will be heard again on Monday.