The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded the Uttar Pradesh Police for frequently converting civil disputes into criminal cases, describing it as a 'complete breakdown of the rule of law.' Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna cited the 2024 Sharif Ahmad case as a precedent, which outlined clear parameters for distinguishing civil disputes from criminal offenses. In a specific case involving a cheque bounce dispute, the court stayed the criminal prosecution and directed Uttar Pradesh's Director General of Police, Prashant Kumar, and the investigating officer to file affidavits explaining their actions. Allegations of bribery in converting the case were also raised. The Chief Justice warned that costs could be imposed on the police if such practices continue. The court emphasized that this misuse of criminal law burdens the judiciary and undermines legal norms. It called for stricter adherence to the Sharif Ahmad precedent, which mandates detailed and substantiated chargesheets in criminal cases.