Dehradun, The Uttarakhand High Court has authorized the issuance of summons in cheque bounce cases via email and WhatsApp, a move poised to expedite legal proceedings.
According to a circular issued by Registrar General Yogesh Kumar Gupta, the court has directed that in cheque bounce cases, summons will no longer be sent only through traditional modes.
Modernizing Justice: Uttarakhand Court Embraces Digital Summons
The Uttarakhand High Court is streamlining the legal process for cheque bounce cases by allowing summons to be delivered electronically.
- The Uttarakhand High Court now permits serving summons for cheque bounce cases via email and WhatsApp.
- Complainants must provide verified email and WhatsApp details of the accused, supported by an affidavit.
- A new software template automatically calculates limitation periods for these cases.
- Accused individuals can now pay the cheque amount online, potentially leading to case closure.
- The decision aligns with a recent Supreme Court judgment addressing the backlog of cheque bounce cases.
Under the Uttarakhand Electronic Process Rules, 2025, summons can now also be served through email, mobile phones, and messaging applications such as WhatsApp. This shift aims to reduce delays and improve efficiency in handling the substantial number of cheque bounce cases clogging the Indian legal system.
Can a cheque bounce case summons now be sent via WhatsApp? Yes, the Uttarakhand High Court has authorized the delivery of summons for cheque bounce cases through WhatsApp, alongside email and traditional methods.
At the time of filing a complaint, the complainant will be required to provide the accused individual’s email and WhatsApp details, along with a mandatory affidavit certifying the authenticity of the information. This requirement is designed to prevent misuse and ensure accountability.
A synopsis in a prescribed format must be attached to every complaint, which will be entered into the computer system by the court staff. This standardized format will facilitate efficient processing and tracking of cases.
Before issuing a summons to the accused, no additional procedure under Section 223 of the BNNS will be required, further simplifying the process. A new draft template has been added to the software, which will automatically calculate the limitation period relating to the “cause of action,” the circular said.
To provide early relief to the accused, the court has introduced an option for online payment. The summons will now clearly mention the online payment facility along with a payment link. The accused will be able to directly deposit the cheque amount by entering the CNR number or case credentials. If the accused makes payment through this facility, the court may close the case based on compounding.
The directions were issued in compliance with a recent Supreme Court judgment in Sanjabij Turi v Kishore S Barkar. The top court observed that lakhs of cheque bounce cases are pending across the country, placing a heavy burden on the judicial system.
The high court cautioned that providing false email or WhatsApp information may lead to penal action, reinforcing the importance of accurate submissions.
