Karnataka HC: Police Can't Serve Notices via WhatsApp

Karnataka HC quashes a police notice sent via WhatsApp, reaffirming that notices must follow BNSS 2023/CrPC guidelines.

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Justice SR Krishna Kumar cited a Supreme Court ruling that WhatsApp notices cannot replace prescribed legal service modes.

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SC held in Satender Kumar Antil v. CBI that notices under BNSS/CrPC cannot be served via WhatsApp or other electronic modes.

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Despite this, Adugodi Police issued a WhatsApp notice to a Tamil Nadu student accused of identity theft on Feb 14

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The student challenged the notice in Karnataka HC, which quashed it but allowed police to issue a fresh one per legal norms.

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HC reaffirmed that police must follow due process when issuing notices, ensuring compliance with Supreme Court directives.

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