Dimapur: Nagaland DGP has directed all police stations and district executive forces DEFs across the state not to register FIRs related to civil or commercial disputes.In a circular, issued on Wednesday, the state police chief ordered the station house officers (SHOs) and officers-in-charge to personally scrutinise every complaint involving business dues, loans or contractual matters.The note further read that in case the criminality was not clear in the complaint, police should register a preliminary enquiry (PE) as mandated, under the BNSS, to verify facts and determine whether a cognizable offence exists.“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,” the order read.The statement said any SHO or police officer, who violates the instructions by registering an FIR in the aforesaid matters, will face strict disciplinary action, including major penalty proceedings.The circular was issued in light of a series of Supreme Court judgments and directives to prevent the misuse of criminal law to settle civil and commercial matters.
