The Supreme Court has recently raised concerns about the increasing tendency to treat civil disputes as criminal cases, a trend particularly prevalent in Uttar Pradesh and other parts of India.

The Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar, made this observation while hearing a plea seeking the quashing of a case involving allegations of cheating and breach of trust.

"This is another case where a civil dispute has been turned into a criminal one. Happening rampant(ly) in many States and especially your State (State of Uttar Pradesh). Please know its a wrong practice and should not happen," CJI Khanna said.

Case Brief:

The Supreme Court was hearing a plea filed by the accused, seeking relief after the Allahabad High Court refused to quash the criminal charges against them. 

The allegations against the accused involved inducing an individual to part with money on the false promise of executing a sale deed in their favor. Subsequently, the accused were booked under various charges, including cheating, breach of trust, outraging the modesty of a woman, insult, and criminal intimidation.

The accused contended that they had been falsely implicated. However, on May 9 this year, the High Court held that a prima facie case was established against them and declined to quash the charges. This decision prompted the accused to approach the Supreme Court for relief.

Before the Supreme Court, the accused contended that the case involved a simple breach of contract rather than any element of cheating. 

On November 11, the Supreme Court issued notice in the matter and stayed the criminal proceedings pending before the trial court.