Supreme Court Criticizes Uttar Pradesh Police for Misuse of Criminal Proceedings
Last Updated on April 8, 2025 by NewsDesk SLC
On April 7, 2025, the Supreme Court of India voiced strong discontent regarding the Uttar Pradesh Police’s trend of converting civil disputes into criminal cases, declaring it a “complete breakdown of the Rule of Law.” This statement comes amid ongoing concerns about the misuse of legal processes in the state, particularly where civil matters are improperly escalated to criminal allegations.
Addressing a plea related to an FIR for criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, and intimidation, Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan emphasized that the police’s actions were fundamentally flawed. The case originated from disputes over cheque dishonor, where the nature of the transactions was essentially civil, not criminal. The Chief Justice remarked, “This is wrong! What is happening in UP? Each day, civil suits are being converted into criminal cases. That’s not correct!”
The Court’s critique extends beyond mere admonishment. It warned that the state might face financial penalties if the police do not cease this practice. In a pointed directive, the Court ordered the Director General of Police (DGP) of Uttar Pradesh to submit an affidavit detailing compliance with the Sharif Ahmed v. State of Uttar Pradesh ruling, which mandates that chargesheets must include transparent and comprehensive details of allegations.
In its earlier ruling in Sharif Ahmed, the Court established that chargesheets should clearly delineate the role of each accused and include all relevant witness statements. The Supreme Court reiterated the need for the Investigating Officer to justify the basis for criminal charges when the underlying facts are civil.
As the Court continues to review this situation, it has temporarily stayed proceedings in the trial court regarding the case but affixed that proceedings related to cheque dishonor (under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act) will persist. This matter emphasizes the ongoing struggle to uphold legal integrity and the importance of distinguishing between civil and criminal jurisdictions.
The Supreme Court has set further hearings for May, making it clear that accountability must be enforced within the police department to prevent the misapplication of law.
