Akhya Pandey
On 15th September 2025, the Supreme Court of India, in the case of Paramjeet Singh v. State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors, warned (can use a better word) that criminal law should not be used to settle personal disputes, stressing that such misuse undermines the credibility of the justice system.
In 2017, Saini Engineering Works, owned by Sarabjit Singh, had agreed to supply machinery to M/s Soma Stone Crusher. As part of the transaction, a cheque of ₹5 lakh was issued but later stopped, prompting the complainant to file criminal proceedings alleging cheating and criminal conspiracy under Sections 420 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code.
The complaint was lodged several years after the transaction, even though civil remedies were available. The accused approached the Himachal Pradesh High Court to quash the proceedings, but the petition was dismissed, leading to an appeal before the Supreme Court. The Bench, consisting of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan, carefully examined the circumstances of the case. The Court noted that failing to supply machinery as per the agreement does not automatically amount to cheating unless it can be shown that there was a dishonest intention from the outset. The Bench highlighted that the complainant could have pursued civil remedies to recover the money or seek damages, and resorting to criminal law in such circumstances amounted to abuse of the legal process.
The Supreme Court quashed the criminal proceedings and reiterated that personal grievances should not be pursued through criminal complaints. It emphasized that criminal law is designed to address genuine offenses and should not be a substitute for civil remedies. The Court also pointed out that frivolous or vindictive complaints place unnecessary strain on the judicial system and can harm the reputation of individuals unfairly.
This judgment serves as a reminder that the legal system is meant to provide justice, not to serve as a platform for settling private scores. Courts will carefully scrutinize the intention behind criminal complaints, and only clear cases of fraud or dishonesty will be entertained. The ruling reinforces the distinction between civil and criminal law and underlines the responsibility of litigants to use legal provisions appropriately.
Bench: Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan
Case: Paramjeet Singh v. State of Himachal Pradesh & Ors
Case no. Writ Petition (Criminal) No. 217/2025
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