BNSS Section 64 — Summons how served

CHAPTER VI PROCESSES TO COMPEL APPEARANCE — A.—Summons

Criminal

Summary

A summons must be delivered by a police officer, or by a court officer or other government servant under rules set by the state government. The police station or court registrar must keep a register with the person’s address, email, phone number, and other details as the state government may require. Whenever possible, the summons should be handed directly to the person it is meant for, by giving or showing them one copy of the summons. A summons with the court’s seal may also be sent electronically, in a way the state government decides. Anyone who receives a summons in person must sign a receipt on the back of the other copy if the serving officer asks them to.

Official Text

(1) Every summons shall be served by a police officer, or subject to such rules as the State Government may make in this behalf, by an officer of the Court issuing it or other public servant:

Provided that the police station or the registrar in the Court shall maintain a register to enter the address, email address, phone number and such other details as the State Government may, by rules, provide.

(2) The summons shall, if practicable, be served personally on the person summoned, by delivering or tendering to him one of the duplicates of the summons:

Provided that summons bearing the image of Court's seal may also be served by electronic communication in such form and in such manner, as the State Government may, by rules, provide.

(3) Every person on whom a summons is so served personally shall, if so required by the serving officer, sign a receipt therefor on the back of the other duplicate.

Related Judgments

  • SC (2025) Vol.5 p.730 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.6 p.545 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2024) Vol.7 p.979 — Supreme Court of India (2024)
  • .. Petitioner/Accused No.12 vs The State of Tamilnadu, — Madras High Court ()
  • SC (2025) Vol.1 p.1469 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.2 p.1588 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.3 p.1309 — Supreme Court of India (2025)
  • SC (2025) Vol.11 p.291 — Supreme Court of India (2025)

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