Dear Sir,

• Since 1 October 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 is in force, and it bans “online money games” (i.e. games where real money is risked or wagered) in India. HDFC Sky+3Wikipedia+3The Times of India+3

• Under this law, the focus is more on operators, platforms, advertisements, payment facilitation than on players, but in practice this could broaden scrutiny.

• the change in law could make authorities less sympathetic to claims like “I was just gaming / withdrawing,” especially if they see real money transfers tied to gaming platforms.

• Get a lawyer experienced in cyber / financial law — this is not trivial to do on your own after 6 months.

• File representation to IO / police with all proof and explanation.

- As per law, under the directions from law enforcement or the Cyber Crime Cell, a bank can freeze an account immediately without prior notice, so that the culprit cannot withdraw the amount from the account.

- However, the Supreme Court in the matter of jay Madanlal Choudhary v. Union of India held that property including bank accounts can be frozen without notice during investigation but must be justified, and the person has the right to challenge it..

- Hence, you can can file a written complaint to the Cyber Cell and to your bank for showing that you have not done any illegal transactions from your account. 

- Further, all types online gaming is not illegal in India , however the winnings above Rs.10,000 are taxed at 30% under Section 194BA of the Income Tax Act.

- Hence, you can mention in the said complaint that you are ready to pay the imposed tax as per law.

- Further, even if no response then file a complaint before the judicial magistrate under section 457 to unfreeze the account . 

- Further , you can also file a Writ Petition in the High Court under Article 226 , if no positive response.

If you want to defreeze your account you have to seek court order 

Dear Client,

I get your concern, but let me advise you that when a bank account is frozen as a result of a cyber complaint, it is generally on a police instruction pending investigation, and since six months have lapsed without reply, you have every right to take action.The first step is to write formally to your bank asking for a copy of the freeze order and details of the case; if they do not respond, you should approach the cybercrime police station or the bank’s nodal officer. If that still brings no clarity, the proper legal remedy is to file a petition before the Magistrate Court or High Court seeking defreezing of your account, especially if you are not an accused. As for your job, this will generally not affect your employment, and the recent gaming laws apply mainly to betting and wagering, so if you played on a legitimate platform, it should not by itself create liability. Now the emphasis needs to be on obtaining the freeze order information and proceeding legally to have your account access reinstated.

I hope this answer helps, for any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank You. 

From the facts shared, it appears that your bank account has been frozen pursuant to a cyber complaint relating to online gaming transactions. Freezing of accounts usually happens under directions issued either by the Cyber Crime Cell or by the concerned bank in compliance with law enforcement requests.

1. Impact of Gaming Laws:

   • Recent regulatory changes, particularly in relation to online gaming and betting, have led to stricter scrutiny of transactions linked to such activities.

   • However, not all forms of online gaming are unlawful, and the effect on your account depends on the exact nature of the transactions and whether they fall within “games of skill” or “games of chance.”

2. Effect on Employment:

   • Merely having an account frozen due to an investigation does not by itself disqualify you from employment unless there is a proven offence or conviction.

   • At this stage, it should not directly affect your current job, though non-availability of bank statements may cause practical difficulties.

3. Next Legal Steps:

   • You are entitled to approach the Cyber Cell in writing and seek the basis on which your account has been frozen.

   • If there is no proper response, you may file a representation/complaint with the Superintendent of Police (Cyber) or the nodal officer of the concerned bank.

   • In case of continued inaction, a writ petition before the Hon’ble High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India can be filed, seeking directions for de-freezing your account or at least for a reasoned order from the authorities.

Since the matter has been pending for over 6 months, it is advisable to take formal legal recourse rather than waiting further.

You may connect with me for a detailed consultation, where I can assess your documents, correspondences, and transactions in detail, and accordingly draft the appropriate legal representation or petition to safeguard your rights.

Best regards,
Advocate Aman Verma
Legal Corridor

Based on the facts shared, the freezing of your account does not by itself affect your employment or background verification, unless you have been formally named as an accused in a registered FIR or a criminal case has been filed against you. If the matter is still under preliminary inquiry, it is not treated as a criminal proceeding, and no adverse record will appear in background checks. You may verify whether your name appears in any FIR through the online portal of your State Police or by filing an RTI with the concerned cyber cell.

In recent times, under the regulatory framework for online gaming and money-laundering controls, banks have been freezing accounts that show transactions connected to unverified gaming platforms or wallets. However, under Section 102 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, such freezing is permissible only for a temporary period and must be supported by a written order and intimation to the Magistrate. A freeze lasting over six months without formal notice is not legally sustainable.

You are advised to make a written representation to your bank’s branch manager and nodal officer requesting details of the freeze order, the authority under whose direction it was issued, and a copy of any related correspondence. The bank is obligated under RBI’s Customer Service guidelines to respond within thirty days.

If the bank indicates that the account was frozen on the directions of the cyber crime unit, you should address a formal application to the Cyber Crime Police Station of your jurisdiction, providing your account number, name, and contact details, and requesting confirmation as to whether any FIR or investigation is pending against you. This application should be acknowledged in writing.

If, despite these steps, there is no response from either the bank or the cyber authorities, you have the remedy of approaching the jurisdictional High Court by way of a writ petition seeking a direction to defreeze the account or to at least disclose the reasons and records for the freeze. Courts have consistently held that arbitrary freezing of bank accounts without due process violates the constitutional right to property and fair procedure.

It is also clarified that under the current legal framework for online gaming, individual users are not penalized merely for participating in or withdrawing winnings from gaming platforms, unless the platform is proven to be engaged in illegal betting or laundering activities. Therefore, unless you were directly involved in such prohibited transactions, you are not exposed to prosecution under the recent gaming laws.

You should maintain all evidence of your communications with the bank and cyber cell, including emails, complaint numbers, and acknowledgments. These documents will be helpful if the matter needs to be pursued legally.

In conclusion, the issue presently appears to be procedural rather than criminal in nature. Timely written representation and, if necessary, a writ petition will be the appropriate course of action. As things stand, it should not adversely affect your employment unless a formal charge is filed against you.

If authorities (cyber cell, police, ED, etc.) believe an account is linked to fraud, money laundering, illegal gaming, or suspicious transactions, they can freeze it for investigation. 

As of 1 October 2025, India has enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans online money games (i.e. games where real money is wagered) nationwide. 

If the freeze or complaint is in your name, there’s some risk (especially if any criminal record is involved). But merely having an account frozen doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose your job.

But no bank statement (for 6 months) can create troubles in proofs, salary slips, verification checks, loan or visa applications, etc.

Contact your bank formally (in writing) Ask for the specific reason for freezing, the authority (police, ED, court) ordering it, and what you must submit to unfreeze.

Engage a lawyer (cyber law / financial crimes specialist) A lawyer can file representations, approach court or the relevant authority for de-freezing, etc.

It will not affect your employment 

your account will be unfrozen only after completion of investigation 

you can file petition in HC to direct authorities to un freeze  your account 

1. If your account is directly involved in gaming, you need to wait till you are cleared after trial of the case by cyber crime Court.
2. Without waiting for conclusion from trial, you can file writ petition in High Court of Telangana at Hyderabad be giving security in Court of the  amount of account in bank account.

If cyber crime police is not responding to your genuine request to release the frozen bank account, you can escalate the matter through legal sources by first issuing a legal notice followed by a suit in civil court to direct the cyber police to release it unless you were found guilty of any related offence due to which the account was frozen.

You need to approach the court for the same 

File RTI application as to progress  of investigation in cyber complaint case 

Your job is not directly at risk. But to unfreeze your account, you should take legal steps through court rather than waiting for police or bank to respond.

You are correct that in the recent past, a large number of individuals have faced similar account freezing issues linked to online gaming transactions. The difficulty is that once the Cyber Cell issues directions to freeze an account, banks often keep it blocked indefinitely without providing any clear response to the account holder. Unfortunately, in several cases this has continued for 1–2 years.

Conclusion from similar cases:

• Unless proper legal steps are taken, the account usually remains frozen. Authorities rarely act on their own initiative.

• The outcome depends upon whether you move the matter before the higher authorities or the Hon’ble High Court for relief.

• Courts have, in multiple cases, directed banks and investigating agencies either to defreeze accounts or to pass a reasoned speaking order, ensuring that the citizen’s right to property and livelihood is not arbitrarily curtailed.

Therefore, while many people may still be waiting without results, those who have taken legal recourse have managed to secure relief.

If you would like, I can guide you step-by-step on how to proceed—whether by drafting representations to the Cyber Cell/bank, or by approaching the High Court for immediate remedy. A detailed consultation would be advisable to review your specific documents and transactions.

Best regards,
Advocate Aman Verma
Legal Corridor

If cyber cell/bank is not responding even after 30 days, you can file a Writ Petition under Article 226 in Telangana High Court seeking direction to unfreeze your account.

No need to  take  legal proceedings if you dint want access to funds lying in said account 

You need to take more precautions in this regard.

In future if you want to be safe, better discontinue the playing online games without knowing the legal consequences involved in it. 

You may better stop at lest for the time being  so that you can continue when the things are very safe and comfortable

Then you can leave the same but the case will not endi

If you don’t it need it then leave it 

After police investigation and court proceedings (if ) it will unfreeze.

Thanks for your appreciation 

You are always welcome with updates and for any other clarification from this forum 

Best of luck

1. Don’t abandon the account. A long freeze can flag you as “high-risk” in banking/KYC systems and complicate future accounts/loans.

2. Get the freeze basis (today at the branch):

   • Ask for the freeze memo/citation: FIR no., sections invoked, which police/cyber cell ordered it, and under which power (often CrPC §102 / IT Act).

   • Take a stamped bank note confirming the freeze and the IO’s details.

3. File a written representation to the IO + DCP Cyber:

   • Attach: ID/OCI (if any), PAN, salary slips/offer letter, ITR/Form-26AS, bank statements up to freeze, gaming app statements/receipts, and a short affidavit explaining lawful funds + no nexus with fraud.

   • Request No-Objection to defreeze (or at least permission for credits/debits for salary/EMIs).

4. Judicial remedy (since 6 months of silence):

   • File before the Jurisdictional Magistrate under CrPC §451/§457 seeking defreezing (account = livelihood; not “case property”).

   • In parallel (or if the FIR is outside your district/there’s inaction), move the High Court under Art. 226 for directions to police/bank to decide your representation and defreeze; seek interim relief permitting limited operations.

5. What your lawyer will need (prepare now):

   • Bank’s freeze intimation, freeze memo (or branch note), FIR/CSR number (if available), all proofs of income, full account statements, gaming platform ledgers/emails, ITR/26AS, and a chronology of your follow-ups.

6. About “gaming law”:

   • Freezes usually stem from fraud/AML suspicion, not merely playing. Telangana has stricter rules on real-money games, but lawful, documented transactions + tax trail are your best defense.

Bottom line: Get the freeze order details, lodge a complete representation, and escalate to Magistrate (§451/457) or High Court (Art. 226) for a time-bound decision. Avoid walking away from the account—close the loop legally to prevent future red flags.

Don’t  keep much money in your bank account 

You need to seek directions of the court

You were advised to take it up legally with the concerned law enforcing agency, instead you are repeatedly approaching here giving the updates. You first of ll find out how many more online games you are involved in it and whether you continue to play them or stopped, if you are involved in such gaming apps then yo may have to stop all your activities  immediately lest you will find more such disasters. 

- Yes, generally they don't reply the aggrieved party of their query. 

- If you do not using that account then you forget the same 

- However, better send a notice or reply to the cyber cell that you have not committed any offence and even not using that account.