The Supreme Court has strongly criticised the UP government’s growing trend of bypassing due process, whether by turning civil disputes into criminal cases or demolishing properties without notice, warning that such state overreach threatens the very foundation of rule of law. A report by Mudit Mathur
The Supreme Court has come down heavily on the growing trend of weaponising criminal law to curb dissent. It has also expressed strong disapproval of the use of criminal law in civil matters. The Court criticised the emerging pattern of ‘bulldozer justice’ that bypasses due process. In several recent cases, it has observed that the Uttar Pradesh police have routinely converted civil disputes—particularly those involving financial disagreements—into criminal cases.
Civil dissent and criticism of government policies are increasingly being treated as criminal acts in Uttar Pradesh, with peaceful demonstrations being prohibited on the pretext of a potential breach of peace. Recently, civil protesters opposing the amendments to the Waqf Act were bound under preventive laws, while Samajwadi Party activists were booked under criminal charges for staging a peaceful sit-in in front of the Raj Bhavan, allegedly in disregard of their personal liberties.
The Supreme Court’s interventions in these matters underscore a broader concern: that the misuse of state power—whether through criminalising civil matters or resorting to extrajudicial demolitions—marks a serious departure from the rule of law. The Court has repeatedly warned that such practices, if left unchecked, risk eroding public confidence in legal institutions and may lead to arbitrary, discriminatory state actions, particularly against minority communities.
By demanding strict adherence to due process, including proper notice, transparent proceedings, and accountability of officials, the Supreme Court aims to reinforce constitutional safeguards in Uttar Pradesh and ensure that the administration of justice remains fair and impartial.
In a notable instance, while hearing a plea involving an FIR against individuals accused of failing to repay a loan, a bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K.V. Viswanathan remarked: “There is a complete breakdown of the rule of law in Uttar Pradesh. Converting a civil matter into a criminal case is not acceptable. Every day, civil suits are being converted into criminal cases. It is absurd—merely not giving money cannot be turned into an offence.”
This criticism reflects the court’s growing concern that criminal proceedings are being misused to settle disputes that fall squarely within the civil domain, thereby weakening legal safeguards and due process. The court summoned senior police officials to explain their conduct and warned of contempt proceedings and possible imposition of costs if such practices persisted.
