SC slams UP police for ‘breakdown of rule of law’ in civil-criminal case mix-up

In a scathing indictment of the Uttar Pradesh Police, the Supreme Court on April 7 expressed deep concern over the growing trend of converting civil disputes into criminal cases, calling it “an absolute breakdown of the rule of law.”

The remark came as a three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna, heard a plea challenging the Allahabad High Court's refusal to quash an FIR against two men — Debu Singh and Deepak Singh — who were accused of criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation, and conspiracy in what the apex court observed was primarily a monetary dispute.

“This is wrong, what is happening in UP. Every day, civil matters are being turned into criminal cases. This is an absolute breakdown of the rule of law,” Chief Justice Khanna said, with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan on the bench.

The case pertains to an allegation that Baljeet Singh, father of the petitioners and a scrap dealer, borrowed ₹25 lakh from one Deepak Behl in their presence. When repayment was sought, Singh allegedly refused and issued threats, claiming he and his sons would “burn [Behl] alive.”

The FIR, however, named Debu and Deepak Singh directly, prompting them to seek relief from the High Court, which declined to intervene, stating that the FIR disclosed the commission of cognisable offences.

The Supreme Court found procedural and legal irregularities in how the case was pursued. The bench observed that the investigation and chargesheet failed to comply with its prior ruling in Sharif Ahmed v. State of Uttar Pradesh, which mandates clarity and completeness in chargesheets—specifically linking alleged crimes to individual accused and the corresponding evidence.

The court ordered the Director General of Police (DGP), Uttar Pradesh, and the Station House Officer (SHO) or Investigating Officer (IO) concerned to file affidavits within two weeks confirming compliance with those directives.

While staying trial court proceedings against all accused, the bench clarified that proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act — concerning cheque bounce — would continue as they were not under challenge in the current petition.

The ruling underscores the apex court’s growing concern over the misuse of criminal law to exert pressure in civil or financial disputes, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh where such conversions are reportedly frequent.