Supreme Court Quashes FIR Against HDFC Bank: No Mens Rea in Locker Operation Case
.jpg)
Supreme Court Quashes FIR Against HDFC Bank: No Mens Rea in Locker Operation Case Introduction: The Case Overview In a landmark ruling delivered on October 22, 2024, the Supreme Court of India quashed the criminal proceedings against HDFC Bank and its officials in the case of HDFC Bank Ltd. v. The State of Bihar & Ors (2024 INSC 807). This judgment arose from a criminal appeal related to the quashing of an FIR lodged against HDFC Bank officials for allegedly violating an income tax restraining order. Relevant Facts of the Case The case began when income tax authorities conducted a search and seizure operation at the Gandhi Maidan branch of HDFC Bank, Patna, as part of an investigation involving several tax assessees, including the Khemka family. The authorities had issued a restraining order under Section 132(3) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, on October 5, 2021, which prevented the operation of bank accounts and lockers belonging to these assessees, particularly Smt. Sunita Khemka. ...