'Criminal Cases Cannot Be Used To Settle Scores': Bombay HC Quashes Property Dispute Case
Mumbai, October 10, 2026: Courts cannot be used as a “recovery mechanism to settle scores” or bring parties into subjugation, the Bombay High Court has observed while quashing a criminal case arising from a property dispute. The court allowed the plea after the parties settled their differences, but directed the petitioner to pay Rs 25,000 to a charitable trust, citing the need to prevent misuse…
The Bombay High Court has ruled that criminal cases cannot be used to settle private scores or bring parties under subjugation, quashing a property dispute case filed by 90-year-old Akhtar Hasan Rizvi. The court emphasized that criminal law should not be exploited as a negotiation tool or a means to drain state and judicial resources.
In this particular case, the property dispute arose from a 1979 mutation entry involving a 300-square-meter plot near a larger Rizvi-developed parcel. After mutual consent, the complainant, Abdul Shaikh, secured rights to the disputed plot without the petitioner benefitting. The court allowed the plea after the parties settled their differences and directed Rizvi to pay Rs 25,000 to a charitable trust, A.K.
Munshi Yojana, to prevent misuse of criminal law. Justice Milind Jadhav stressed that courts should consider imposing costs when parties seek to withdraw criminal proceedings by mutual consent, as criminal proceedings consume public money and judicial time. The court also warned against the growing trend of filing exaggerated criminal complaints in matrimonial and commercial disputes to force settlements. The matter is scheduled to be verified on October 29, 2026, for compliance.
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