Mere Breach of Land Sale Contract Not Enough for Cheating Prosecution Without 'Dishonest Intention' at the Time of Promise: Gauhati High Court

The Gauhati High Court has recently quashed an order that took cognizance of a cheating case filed under Sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The case stemmed from a dispute over a land sale contract where the complainant alleged breach of agreement after making an advance payment. The Court ruled that mere breach of contract is insufficient to prosecute under criminal…