Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to recognize arrest warrants and summonses served digitally. (Representative photo/Associated Press)
Madhya Pradesh has started a digital service for sending summons and arrest warrants through WhatsApp, email and SMS. Learn how it can help streamline the judicial process and reduce costs
Taking a historic step towards using digital means in judicial proceedings, the Madhya Pradesh government has issued a new order under which summons and arrest warrants can now be served through WhatsApp, email and SMS. With this initiative, Madhya Pradesh becomes the first state in the country to recognize search warrants and summonses served through digital means.
According to a gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the order will apply where the parties use facilities such as WhatsApp, email or SMS. If the email is sent and not returned, it is deemed to have been delivered.
The rules relating to this new order have been prepared over the past month and a half, so that courts can now issue subpoenas and search warrants directly through digital means.
However, this method of service is not effective on defendants, witnesses or complainants who do not use email, phone numbers or messaging applications. In this case, officers from the relevant police station will serve the summons and warrant in the traditional manner.
Digital services are expected to speed up the judicial process. Currently, traditional methods of serving subpoenas and warrants are time-consuming, resource intensive, and increase government spending. Moving to digital methods will significantly reduce costs associated with paper, postal services and logistics.
Additionally, police department employees will have less workload associated with executing warrants and subpoenas, allowing them to focus on other important matters.
