The Delhi government has notified the BNSS ( Service of Summons and Warrants) Rules, 2025, introducing a system for delivering court summons and warrants electronically through WhatsApp and e-mail, officials said on Saturday, reported PTI.
According to officials, the move will help save time, ensure faster delivery of court documents, and reduce the workload of the police force. The notification, issued by the Delhi home department, had earlier received the approval of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.
Faster & safer communication
Under the new rules, summons generated by the courts will be issued electronically with the digital seal and signature of the judge concerned. Police will then forward these to the person involved through WhatsApp or e-mail.
According to the news agency, if electronic service fails, or if the necessary details are not available, the courts will have the option of directing physical delivery. The rules also include provisions to protect the identity of victims in sensitive cases — such as those under the POCSO Act — by safeguarding their phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
The shift to electronic delivery will reduce paperwork and clerical duties for the police, allowing them to focus more on investigations and core policing activities, a senior official said.
Record-keeping & infrastructure
As part of the new system, police stations will be required to maintain records — electronically or physically — of individuals to be served summons or warrants under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, the PTI report said. These details will be verified, uploaded into the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System, and shared monthly with jurisdictional courts.
Additionally, every police station will have to establish electronic summons delivery centres to digitally send, track, and store records of summons and warrants.
According to officials, the move will help save time, ensure faster delivery of court documents, and reduce the workload of the police force. The notification, issued by the Delhi home department, had earlier received the approval of Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.
Faster & safer communication
Under the new rules, summons generated by the courts will be issued electronically with the digital seal and signature of the judge concerned. Police will then forward these to the person involved through WhatsApp or e-mail.
According to the news agency, if electronic service fails, or if the necessary details are not available, the courts will have the option of directing physical delivery. The rules also include provisions to protect the identity of victims in sensitive cases — such as those under the POCSO Act — by safeguarding their phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
The shift to electronic delivery will reduce paperwork and clerical duties for the police, allowing them to focus more on investigations and core policing activities, a senior official said.
Record-keeping & infrastructure
As part of the new system, police stations will be required to maintain records — electronically or physically — of individuals to be served summons or warrants under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023, the PTI report said. These details will be verified, uploaded into the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System, and shared monthly with jurisdictional courts.
Additionally, every police station will have to establish electronic summons delivery centres to digitally send, track, and store records of summons and warrants.
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