Supreme Court: Criminal Cases Can’t Be Quashed Due to Pending Civil Suits On Same Subject Matter

The Supreme Court of India held that criminal proceedings cannot be quashed merely on the ground that a civil case involving the same subject matter is pending.

The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale, set aside the Karnataka High Court's decision, which quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against the Respondents on the allegation of fraudulently excluding the Appellant and her sisters from the family tree and partition deed.

The Court emphasised that both civil and criminal remedies can proceed simultaneously when allegations involve fraud or criminality. The appeal was allowed, and the High Court’s order was overturned. (Kathyayini V Sidharth P.S. Reddy & Ors.)