New Delhi: The Delhi BNSS (Service of Summons and Warrants) Rules, 2025, have been notified by the city government, paving the way for the electronic delivery of court summonses and warrants via WhatsApp and e-mail, officials said on Saturday.

Officials stated that the initiative would save time and ensure prompt delivery of summons.

The notification, issued by the Delhi government’s Home Department, had earlier received approval from Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena, according to officials.

A senior government official noted that the provision for electronic delivery would relieve the police force of paperwork and clerical tasks, thereby enhancing their capacity for policing and investigation.

Henceforth, summonses issued by the courts will be generated electronically, bearing the digital seal and signature of the presiding judge. The police will then deliver these to the individuals concerned via e-mail or WhatsApp.

As per the Rules, courts may order physical delivery of summonses if electronic delivery fails or if the necessary contact details are unavailable. The Rules also ensure the protection of victims’ identities — particularly women, girls, and juveniles — in certain categories of cases, such as those under the POCSO Act, by keeping their e-mail addresses and phone numbers confidential.

Police stations will now be required to maintain either digital or physical records of individuals to be served summonses or warrants under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. These records will be verified, uploaded to the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System, and shared with jurisdictional courts on a monthly basis, officials added.

Additionally, police stations must establish electronic summons delivery centres to digitally issue, acknowledge, and maintain records of all electronic summonses and warrants, officials said.

PTI