Negotiable Instruments Act Section 144 — Mode of service of summons

CHAPTER XVI O F I N T E R N A T I O N A L LA W

General

Summary

A court can send a summons to an accused person or a witness by speed post or an approved courier service, addressed to their usual home, workplace, or place of business. If the court receives a signed receipt showing the person got the summons, or a note from the postal or courier staff saying the person refused to accept it, the court can treat the summons as officially delivered.

Official Text

(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) and for the purposes of this Chapter, a Magistrate issuing a summons to an accused or a witness may direct a copy of summons to be served at the place where such accused or witness ordinarily resides or carries on business or personally works for gain, by speed post or by such courier services as are approved by a Court of Session.

(2) Where an acknowledgment purporting to be signed by the accused or the witness or an endorsement purported to be made by any person authorised by the postal department or the courier services that the accused or the witness refused to take delivery of summons has been received, the Court issuing the summons may declare that the summons has been duly served.