SATENDER KUMAR ANTIL versus CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION & ANR.

SATENDER KUMAR ANTIL versus CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION & ANR.

Electronic communication is not a valid mode of service of a notice under Section 35 BNSS, 2023 because the Legislature consciously restricted the use of electronic communication to specific procedures set out in the statute (e.g., sections 63,64,71,94,193,530); Section 35 contains substantive safeguards implicating...

Source-derived case information.

Parties
Petitioner: Satender Kumar Antil; Respondent: Central Bureau of Investigation & Anr.
Jurisdiction
India
Judgment Date
16 July 2025
Procedural Posture
Special Leave Petition (crl.) No. 5191 of 2021 / Interlocutory Application I.a. No. 63691 of 2025 Seeking Modification of Order Dated 21.01.2025
Outcome
I.A. No. 63691 of 2025 dismissed; order dated 21.01.2025 in MA No.2034/2022 in MA No.1849/2021 in SLP (Crl.) No.1591/2021 confirmed
Legal Topics
Service of Notice, Electronic Communication, Arrest Without Warrant, Purposive Interpretation, Legislative Intent, Article 21 Right to Life and Personal Liberty, Summons Vs Notice, Investigating Agency Procedure
Criminal Procedure Constitutional Law Service of Notice Electronic Communication Arrest Without Warrant Purposive Interpretation Legislative Intent Article 21 Right to Life and Personal Liberty +2 more

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Parties

Satender Kumar Antil

Petitioner

Central Bureau of Investigation & Anr.

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Special Leave Petition (crl.) No. 5191 of 2021 / Interlocutory Application I.a. No. 63691 of 2025 Seeking Modification of Order Dated 21.01.2025

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether electronic communication is a valid mode of service of notice under Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
  2. 2 Whether Section 35 contains a substantive element affecting liberty protected by Article 21 and therefore requires personal service safeguards
  3. 3 Whether summons provisions (Sections 63, 64, 71) permitting electronic service can be read into Section 35 to allow electronic service of notices

Ratio Decidendi

Electronic communication is not a valid mode of service of a notice under Section 35 BNSS, 2023 because the Legislature consciously restricted the use of electronic communication to specific procedures set out in the statute (e.g., sections 63,64,71,94,193,530); Section 35 contains substantive safeguards implicating Article 21, and notices by Investigating Agencies (executive acts) cannot be equated with court summons (judicial acts); consequently the earlier direction that notices under s.41-A CrPC/s.35 BNSS be issued only through modes of service prescribed under CrPC/BNSS is affirmed and the modification sought is dismissed.

Court Disposition

I.A. No. 63691 of 2025 dismissed; order dated 21.01.2025 in MA No.2034/2022 in MA No.1849/2021 in SLP (Crl.) No.1591/2021 confirmed

Orders

  • I.A. No. 63691 of 2025 dismissed
  • Order dated 21.01.2025 passed by this Court in MA No. 2034/2022 in MA No. 1849/2021 in SLP (Crl.) No. 1591/2021 stands confirmed