What are the methods for serving process in India?

Question

I need to know what are the valid methods for documents in a legal case to be served on the opposing party. Do they use private process servers? Can they be sent in the mail? To the person's office or last known address? Or does the court facilitate all service?

Answer 1

Now what you seek to know is serving of documents/summons/warrants etc issued by the relevant court in a case pending before it or any legal notice/document that has to be severed on the other party by the attorney/advocate/lawyer of a party? The usual practice in civil matters in serving the summons/documents issued by the court is through registered post or through personal delivery by the court official on the relevant address of the respondent/other party/opposite mentioned in the petition/suit/application pending before it. Usually this address is the residence address in personal/family matters but official/registered address of the office in case of matter relating to official matters. In criminal matters summons or warrants are usually sent through the Station Head Officer of the area where the accused is usually residing or working. The summons or warrants which are issued against the respondent/opposite party/other party are to accompany copy of the petition/application/complaint as the case may be. If the usual practice of serving these legal documents as mentioned above fails the court can order for publishing such summons in the local newspaper of the area on the application of the petitioner, if still the respondent/other party/opposite party fail to make appearance in a civil matter the court can proceed with the case ex-prate. As far serving documents/notice etc by the attorney/advocate the usual practice is by register post.