{"id":7156,"date":"2025-08-01T09:08:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-01T03:38:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lawfultalks3.selfst.art\/whatsapp-notices-barred-sc-mandates-personal-service\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T17:31:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T12:01:21","slug":"whatsapp-notices-barred-sc-mandates-personal-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawfultalks3.selfst.art\/?p=7156","title":{"rendered":"WhatsApp Notices Barred: SC Mandates Personal Service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">In a notable ruling that reinforces procedural safeguards during criminal investigations, the Supreme Court has<\/span><\/span> <span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\">held <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\"><strong>that electronic service of notice under Section 35 of the BNSS, 2023 is not permitted<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\">. Any change would require <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\"><strong>legislative amendment<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\">, not judicial interpretation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:center\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\"><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">The decision reinforces that technology cannot override personal liberty. Although efficiency is important, basic legal safeguards must remain intact&mdash;especially when a person&rsquo;s freedom is on the line.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\">The ruling was delivered in the aftermath of the dismissal of an application by the State of Haryana, seeking to allow electronic service of notices on WhatsApp or email&mdash;under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif\">Justice MM Sundresh and Justice NK Singh presided over the bench .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>The Background<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">The controversy arises under Section 35 of BNSS which empowers the police to issue a notice of appearance in lieu of arrest&mdash;making it a critical provision balancing state power and personal liberty. The Supreme Court has directed all States and Union Territories to strictly ensure that such notices are served <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>only through physical modes prescribed under the law and not through WhatsApp or emails.<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">However, the State of Haryana filed an application to modify this order, arguing that:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <ul>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Electronic service is efficient and helps prevent evasion.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">BNSS provisions (Sections 64(2), 71, and 530) permit e-communication.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">The legal system needs to adapt to technology.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n \n \n \n <p><strong style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif; font-size:14pt; text-align:justify\">Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">In response to the <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><em>IA No. 63691 of 2025<\/em><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"> filed by the State of Haryana, the Supreme Court refused to dilute its earlier directive mandating that notices under Section 41-A of CrPC or Section 35 of BNSS be served strictly via officially prescribed methods&mdash;excluding WhatsApp or other electronic means.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">The Court emphasized that electronic service lacks legal sanctity unless it aligns with procedures under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC)\/BNSS. Reiterating procedural fairness, it also reinforced that Standing Orders be strictly followed as per rulings in <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><em>Rakesh Kumar v. Vijayanta Arya 2021<\/em><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"> and <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><em>Amandeep Singh Johar v. State 2018 (NCT Delhi)<\/em><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">&mdash;precedents already upheld in the landmark <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><em>Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI<\/em><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"> [(2022) 10 SCC 51].<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>Submissions on behalf of the Applicant (State of Haryana)<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <ul>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Nature of Notice under Section 35 BNSS is merely an intimation to join investigation, not an arrest warrant &mdash; thus, electronic service is practical and efficient.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Section 64(2) of BNSS allows electronic service of summons, indicating no bar on using digital means for similar notices like those under Section 35.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Section 71 BNSS: Permits electronic service of summons to witnesses without the need for a court seal &mdash; interpreted as an overriding provision supporting digital communication.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-left:18pt; text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>Distinction Between BNSS Sections 64 and 71<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <ul>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Section 64 relates to system-generated e-summons, requiring authentication (like court seal).<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Section 71 covers scanned physical summons sent electronically &mdash; no seal required, analogous to Section 35 notices.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n \n \n \n <ul>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Section 530 of BNSS demonstrates legislative intent to digitally streamline criminal proceedings; thus, excluding Section 35 notices from electronic service contradicts this goal.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"margin-left:18pt; text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>Inapplicability of Prior Case Law<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <ul>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Delhi HC rulings (<\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><em>Rakesh Kumar<\/em><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"> and <\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><em>Amandeep Singh Johar<\/em><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">), upheld in <\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><em>Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI (2022)<\/em><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">, were based on the CrPC, 1973, which lacked digital provisions.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">BNSS, 2023 includes statutory recognition of electronic communication, making prior guidelines irrelevant.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>Submissions on behalf of the Amicus Curiae<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <ul>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Electronic service not recognized under Section 35 BNSS where Notices served via WhatsApp or other digital modes are not contemplated as valid under Section 35, since they do not align with Chapter VI of BNSS, 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Summons require personal service as per standard legal practice, personal service is mandatory, and only under specific conditions (i.e., presence of court seal) is electronic service permitted under Section 64(2) proviso.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Section 35 notices are not court-issued since such notices are issued by Investigating Agencies and not by courts, they cannot be served electronically, as they do not fulfill the requirement of bearing a court seal.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">Section 530 excludes investigation: This section allows electronic mode for trials, inquiries, and proceedings, but explicitly omits investigations, indicating that the investigation phase is excluded from digital procedures.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">As non-compliance with a Section 35 notice can lead to arrest, it is imperative for such notices to be served personally, ensuring due process and safeguarding the accused&#39;s liberty.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <li dir=\"ltr\" style=\"list-style-type:disc\">\n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\">These submissions argue for strict adherence to physical service for Section 35 notices, emphasizing legal safeguards, procedural integrity, and legislative intent.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/li>\n \n <\/ul>\n \n \n \n <p><strong style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif; font-size:14pt; text-align:justify\">The Supreme Court&rsquo;s Take: Liberty Comes First<\/strong><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">The Supreme Court has construed Section 35 of the BNSS as a liberty-protective measure. Allowing electronic service without personal delivery mechanisms opens the door to serious abuse. If a citizen never receives the notice but is arrested for non-compliance, it would be a <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>gross violation of Article 21<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"> of the Constitution, observed the court. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">The Supreme Court further clarified that Section 530 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) permits the use of electronic communication <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>only<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"> in the context of trials, inquiries, or other judicial proceedings, and not during the course of police investigations.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">The Court also distinguished that, unlike summons which are issued by courts, a notice under Section 35 of the BNSS is issued by the police in the exercise of their investigative powers, and does not emanate from judicial authority.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">The court particularly emphasised on interpretation of law which does <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>not mention e-services <\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">in Section 35 of BNSS. There are also other sections in BNSS like Sections <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>94<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"> and <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>193<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"> that specifically allow for electronic communication&mdash;but <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>not for arrest-related notices<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p><strong style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif; font-size:14pt; text-align:justify\">Final Holding:<\/strong><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">After due examination <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>the Supreme Court concluded that electronic service of notice under Section 35 of the BNSS, 2023 is not permitted<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">. Any change would require <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><strong>legislative amendment<\/strong><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">, not judicial interpretation.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \n \n \n <hr \/>\n \n <p><span style=\"font-size:14pt; text-align:justify\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\">Case Details : <\/span><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/api.sci.gov.in\/supremecourt\/2022\/37889\/37889_2022_6_6_62404_Judgement_16-Jul-2025.pdf\" style=\"text-align: justify; text-decoration-line: none;\"><span style=\"font-size:14pt\"><span style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif\"><span style=\"color:#1155cc\">SATENDER KUMAR ANTIL. V. CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AND ANR. (Special Leave Petition) crl. 5191\/2021<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \n \n \n <p><br \/>\n \n <br \/>\n \n <br \/>\n \n <br \/>\n \n &nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a notable ruling that reinforces procedural safeguards during criminal investigations, the Supreme Court has held that electronic service of notice under Section 35 of the BNSS, 2023 is not permitted. Any change would require legislative amendment, not judicial interpretation. The decision reinforces that technology cannot override personal liberty. Although efficiency is important, basic legal [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":9229,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-supreme-court"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.5 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>WhatsApp Notices Barred: SC Mandates Personal Service - Lawful Talks<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"WhatsApp Notices Barred: SC Mandates Personal Service\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In a notable ruling that reinforces procedural safeguards during criminal investigations, the Supreme Court has held that electronic service of notice under Section 35 of the BNSS, 2023 is not permitted. Any change would require legislative amendment, not judicial interpretation. The decision reinforces that technology cannot override personal liberty. 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