Dimapur: The Director General of Police (DGP) of Nagaland has issued a directive to all police stations and District Executive Forces (DEFs) across the state, instructing them not to register First Information Reports (FIRs) related to civil or commercial disputes.
Circular Details
In a circular released on Wednesday, the state police chief ordered Station House Officers (SHOs) and officers-in-charge to personally scrutinize every complaint involving business dues, loans, or contractual matters. The directive emphasizes that if the criminality is not evident in the complaint, police should register a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) as mandated under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to verify facts and determine whether a cognizable offense exists.
Key Provisions
The order states: “If the complaint discloses only a civil dispute without prima facie proof of dishonest intention at the beginning of the commencement of the civil matter concerned, no FIR shall be registered.” Any SHO or police officer who violates these instructions by registering an FIR in such matters will face strict disciplinary action, including major penalty proceedings.
Background
The circular was issued in light of a series of Supreme Court judgments and directives aimed at preventing the misuse of criminal law to settle civil and commercial matters. This move seeks to curb the practice of using police complaints as a tool for coercion in business and personal disputes.
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