‘No coercive steps’ means no arrest, not a stay on probe: Karnataka High Court

3 min readBengaluruJul 27, 2026 08:56 PM IST The Karnataka High Court has explained the difference between two commonly used expressions in interim orders passed by courts: “coercive steps” and “precipitative action”. Justice M Nagaprasanna said in his order dated July 7, “An order directing ‘no coercive steps’ or ‘no coercive measures’ would only mean that the accused or any person in favour of whom such order is passed shall not be arrested.”The judge further explained that an order barring “any precipitative action” suspends the entire investigation process. The high court was hearing an appeal filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against an earlier interim order that stayed an attachment order passed in a cheating case. Justice Nagaprasanna said, “A careful reading of the order da