Bhubaneswar : A Bhubaneswar based communications firm has been left in operational limbo after Axis Bank kept its business account frozen for more than 15 days, despite explicit clearance from both the High Court and tax authorities.
The issue began several months ago when tax authorities provisionally froze the operating account of Bhubaneswar-based Advento Communications under official order number 2779. The company challenged the move in the High Court, which issued a stay on the action. In line with the court’s ruling, the tax department formally revoked the freeze using a comprehensive reference order (series 2767–82) that included the original letter.
However, Axis Bank officials didn’t unfreeze the funds immediately, claiming there was a clerical “number mismatch” between the single original freeze order and the broader revocation series. Even after the tax department sent follow-up emails directly to the bank confirming that the account should be unfreezed, branch officials failed to take action.
“It is disheartening to see the bank unable to take a simple decision, causing unnecessary delay,” said Sri Durga Charan Samal, Director of Advento Communications. “The tax authorities complied with the High Court order and withdrew the attachment. Yet, days keep passing without resolution. It seems Axis Bank is unprepared to handle standard procedures and I urge their senior leadership to resolve this immediately.”
The ongoing delay has paralyzed the company’s daily operations, leaving staff salaries and vendor payments on hold. Frustrated by the lack of response from local branch managers, Advento Communications is now escalating the complaint to Axis Bank’s senior leadership, legal counsel, and the Reserve Bank of India’s Banking Ombudsman for regulatory intervention and damages.