Criminal Law Must Not be Used to Settle Civil Disputes or Take Revenge: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has dismissed a criminal case against an individual against whom an FIR was filed in a civil dispute, making it seem like a criminal case.

The Court expressed significant distress regarding the trend of using criminal prosecution as a means of harassment in civil or commercial disputes.

The Court held that even if the allegations are assumed to be true, they cannot be tried under criminal law. Further, it was said that criminal law cannot be misused to settle civil disputes or wreak vengeance.

The case stemmed from a commercial dispute where the defending party advanced a partial loan to the complainant to execute a property sale and issue cheques that later bounced.

[Ankul Singh v State of Uttar Pradesh and Anr.]