The Karnataka State Government has officially amended the necessary legal provisions, allowing all courts within the state to serve notices and summons through electronic mail (email). This significant development was brought to the attention of the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday.
Justice R. Devdas was informed that the draft rules submitted by the High Court had been reviewed, approved, and subsequently gazetted by the State Government on February 17. Under these amendments, the High Court, district courts, and tribunals are now authorized to issue legal notices and summons electronically.
Background of the Amendment
The court’s directions came during a hearing of a petition filed by Advocate Anirudh Suresh. Previously, on February 11, the Karnataka High Court had instructed the state government to update it by February 25 regarding the progress of the proposed amendments.
“The State government should be informed that there is an urgent need to approve the rules for service of notice through email,” the court emphasized.
Advocate Suresh, who presented his case in person, pointed out that similar amendments have already been implemented in states like Delhi and Maharashtra, facilitating the digital service of summons.
The petition sought directions to ensure that the concerned authorities issue a notification enabling the service of summons through email. Additionally, it requested that either the Commercial Court at Bengaluru or the Registrar General of the City Civil Court—or any other competent authority—frame regulations to enable electronic delivery of summons for commercial court matters.
Case Title: Anirudh Suresh AND Honourable High Court of Karnataka & Others
Case No: WP 12426/2023