New Delhi, Apr 7 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on Uttar Pradesh Police on converting civil cases into criminal, saying it shows a complete breakdown of the rule of law in the state.

Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna warned the state government of imposing damages if similar petitions are filed in the future.

The apex court stayed prosecution in a conversion case and directed state police chief Prashant Kumar and investigating officer to file a response within two weeks.

The case in question is related to a cheque bounce case and the police filed chargesheet after converting civil suit into a criminal case.

The petitioner approached the highest court of the country and alleged that the police took money for converting this issue into a criminal case.

The court said, “Everyday civil suits are being converted to criminal cases. It is absurd merely not giving money cannot be turned into an offence. It is strange and this is happening day in and day out in Uttar Pradesh”.

UNI SMA RBE SJC