Supreme Court Goes Digital! Allows Service Of Summons, Notices Via WhatsApp, Email And Fax

CJI Bobde said that the double blue tick service of the messaging application would convey that the message has been delivered.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: Recognizing the need of the hour amid the Coronavirus pandemic, Supreme Court in a progressive move allowed court summons and notices to be sent via email, fax or even the instant messaging applications such as WhatsApp. The top court bench comprising Justices A S Bopanna and R Subhash Reddy, headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde, on Friday heard a plea requesting to extend the limitation period of filling appeals in the High Courts and tribunals due to the pandemic. While announcing the verdict over the filled plea, the top court bench pronounced that notices, pleadings and summons, which are an "integral part of court proceedings", can be served through email, fax and instant messaging application. As quoted in an NDTV report, the court said,"It has been brought to our notice that it was not possible to visit post offices for services of notices, summons, pleadings. Such service of all the above may be done through email, fax and other instant messenger services like WhatsApp and other telephone messenger services." On this, Attorney General KK Venugopal put his concerns stating that the government was not comfortable with the service of summons and notices through WhatsApp "because it is a completely encrypted platform." However, CJI Bobde, said that the double blue tick service of the messaging application would convey that the message has been delivered and that the receiver has seen the notice."

CJI further stated that this period will be extended till the lockdown is lifted, plus another 45 days. "After the period has expired, no further extension will be granted," CJI Bobde announced.

It is to be noted that Supreme Court judges conduct these hearings on video conference platforms from their respective homes as a precautionary measure amid the Coronavirus pandemic. The respondents still do not visit the court to join in through video conference while the lawyers argue from their respective Chambers.