--- title: "Ease of Doing Investments by Investors- Facility of voluntary freezing/ blocking of Trading Accounts by Clients" date: 2024-02-20 author: "King Stubb & Kasiva" url: https://ksandk.com/newsletter/investor-ease-voluntary-trading-account-freeze-jan-12-2024/ --- # Ease of Doing Investments by Investors- Facility of voluntary freezing/ blocking of Trading Accounts by Clients Posted On - 20 February, 2024 • By - King Stubb & Kasiva SEBI has mandated that the Brokers’ Industry Standards Forum (ISF) develop a framework by April 01, 2024, for Trading Members to offer voluntary freezing/blocking of online trading accounts in case of suspicious activities. This framework will include detailed policy guidelines, actions for Trading Members, and procedures for re-enabling accounts. Stock Exchanges must ensure that these guidelines are implemented by Trading Members starting from July 01, 2024. Some key points are as follows: - Transition: Indian stock broking from call and trade to online mode. - Lack of Blocking Facility: Majority of Trading Members lack facility for freezing/blocking accounts despite noticing suspicious activities. - Proposal: Provide facility for voluntary blocking/freezing of trading accounts, similar to ATM and credit card blocking. - Framework Development: Brokers’ Industry Standards Forum (ISF) to develop framework for Trading Members by April 1, 2024, in consultation with stock exchanges and SEBI. - Detailed policy to include client request modes, acknowledgment issuance, processing time, action steps, re-enabling process, and client intimation. - Implementation: Stock Exchanges to ensure guidelines implementation by Trading Members from July 1, 2024, with compliance report submission to SEBI by August 31, 2024. - Stock Exchanges’ Responsibilities: - Inform Trading Members and disseminate circular on their websites. - Issuance: Circular issued under Section 11(1) SEBI’s authority to protect investor interests and regulate securities markets. --- ## Office Locations - [New Delhi](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-delhi/) (HQ): +91-11-41318190 | info@ksandk.com - [Mumbai](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-mumbai/): 3 offices (Nariman Point, Lower Parel, Andheri) | mumbai@ksandk.com - [Bangalore](https://ksandk.com/locations/top-corporate-law-firm-in-bangalore/): bangalore@ksandk.com - [Chennai](https://ksandk.com/locations/chennai/): chennai@ksandk.com - [Hyderabad](https://ksandk.com/locations/hyderabad/): hyderabad@ksandk.com - [Pune](https://ksandk.com/locations/pune/): pune@ksandk.com - [Kochi](https://ksandk.com/locations/kochi/): kochi@ksandk.com ## Contact - [Contact Page](https://ksandk.com/contact-us/) - General: info@ksandk.com | +91-11-41318190 - WhatsApp: +91-7428567444 - [Privacy Statement](https://ksandk.com/privacy-statement/) - [Terms of Use](https://ksandk.com/terms-of-use/)