Criminal Courts Are Not Meant To Be Used For Settling Scores Or Pressurize The Parties To Settle The Dispute:...
Criminal courts are not meant to be used for settling scores or pressurizing parties into settlements, supported by relevant case laws from Indian jurisprudence.
Principle Overview
Criminal courts exist primarily to administer justice, uphold the rule of law, and ensure that criminal offenses are fairly adjudicated. They are not platforms for personal vendettas, harassment, or coercion to settle private disputes under the guise of criminal prosecution.
This principle safeguards the criminal justice system from misuse and protects the integrity of judicial processes, ensuring that criminal trials are conducted on genuine grounds and not as tools for exerting undue pressure.
Detailed Explanation
Purpose of Criminal Courts
The criminal justice system is designed to punish offenders of the law and protect society by enforcing criminal statutes. It is meant to address public wrongs rather than private grievances or vendettas.
Misuse of Criminal Courts
Sometimes, individuals misuse criminal complaints to harass opponents, settle personal scores, or force settlements in civil or personal disputes. This misuse leads to:
Abuse of judicial process
Waste of court time and resources
Victimization of innocent parties
Undermining the credibility of the justice system
Judicial Caution Against Misuse
Courts have consistently cautioned against such misuse. They emphasize that criminal courts should not become arenas for vendetta or coercion but should be used for genuine and bona fide criminal matters.
Protecting the Accused from Harassment
While the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is fundamental, courts also recognize the potential for misuse and thus safeguard the rights of the accused by ensuring that complaints are not frivolous or motivated by malice.
Alternative Remedies
In cases where disputes are essentially civil or personal, courts often encourage alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms rather than criminal litigation.
Important Case Laws
1. State of Haryana v. Bhajan Lal, AIR 1992 SC 604
The Supreme Court laid down guidelines to prevent misuse of criminal law.
It stated that criminal law should not be used as a weapon for harassment or to settle scores.
The Court warned against launching criminal proceedings with an ulterior motive and emphasized protecting citizens from such abuse.
2. K. Jagannatha Rao v. Union of India, AIR 1993 SC 130
The Court held that criminal law cannot be a tool to settle personal vendetta or to pressurize the accused.
It cautioned against filing frivolous complaints with malicious intent to harass.
3. Chandra Deo Singh v. State of Bihar, AIR 1989 SC 1927
The Supreme Court observed that criminal courts are not intended to be used for “settling scores” or to exert undue pressure on parties for compromise.
The Court insisted that courts must ensure complaints are bona fide and not instruments of oppression.
4. Girish Ramachandra Deshpande v. State of Maharashtra, AIR 2002 SC 3546
The Court stated that the misuse of the criminal justice system to pressurize or harass must be checked.
Courts should ensure complaints are filed in good faith and that prosecution is not used as a tool for intimidation.
5. Kerala High Court in Kuruvilla v. State of Kerala (2007)
The Kerala High Court stressed that criminal cases should not be allowed to be used for personal vendettas or coercion.
It noted the importance of judicial scrutiny before allowing frivolous or vexatious criminal complaints to proceed.
Summary and Legal Position
Criminal courts are established to administer justice for offenses against society, not to serve as venues for settling personal disputes or vendettas.
Courts recognize and act against the misuse and abuse of criminal law to harass or coerce parties.
Judicial safeguards and guidelines prevent frivolous complaints and protect accused persons from oppression.
Inappropriate use of criminal courts undermines public confidence and wastes judicial resources.
Courts encourage genuine complaints and discourage filing criminal cases with malicious or ulterior motives.
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