Criminal Law Cannot Be Used to Settle Civil Scores

The Supreme Court has once again warned against the growing tendency to invoke criminal proceedings in matters essentially civil in nature. Commercial disagreements, contractual disputes, and business conflicts cannot be converted into criminal prosecutions merely to exert pressure.

Criminal law carries serious consequences — arrest, stigma, and prolonged litigation. Its invocation must be grounded in clear criminal intent, not strategic leverage.

When parties use FIRs as negotiating tools, the process itself becomes punishment. The Court has reaffirmed that the judiciary retains inherent powers to quash proceedings where allegations do not disclose a genuine criminal offence.

The distinction between breach of contract and criminal misconduct must be carefully preserved. Not every failed transaction is fraud. Not every default is deception.

Abuse of criminal law erodes trust in the justice system and burdens investigative agencies with matters better suited for civil adjudication.

The Supreme Court’s stance reinforces a fundamental principle: criminal prosecution is a matter of public justice, not private strategy.

Liberty cannot be compromised to settle commercial disagreements.