In Brief
A criminal appeal challenged the quashing of forgery and cheating proceedings against a property dispute involving a 1994 sale deed. The accused purchased the plot by registered deed, but the deceased owner's heir filed a civil suit for cancellation in 2008 and a criminal complaint in 2012. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, quashing the criminal proceedings. The Court held that since the same transaction's validity was being adjudicated in pending civil suits, pursuing parallel criminal proceedings constituted abuse of process. The substantial delay in filing the criminal complaint and absence of forgery allegations in the civil suit further supported quashing. The civil courts remain free to decide the civil suits independently.",
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