Introduction to BNSS section 69
BNSS Section 69 deals with the service of summons outside the local limits of a court’s jurisdiction. This section ensures that when a person who needs to be summoned is not located within the court’s local area, a proper and lawful process is followed. The court sends the summons to the appropriate Magistrate of the area where the person currently resides or is present. This method keeps the legal process valid, organized, and fair, even when the summoned person is in a different location.
What is BNSS Section 69 ?
BNSS Section 69 states that if a court wants to serve a summons to a person outside its local jurisdiction, it must send the summons (in duplicate) to the Magistrate of the area where that person lives or is present, so that the Magistrate can serve it properly.

BNSS Section of 69 in Simple Points
1. Summons Sent Outside Local Jurisdiction
When a person who needs to appear in court lives outside the court’s local area, the court cannot directly send someone to deliver the summons. Instead, the court sends the summons to a Magistrate in the area where that person lives or is staying. This ensures the summons is delivered correctly and legally, without overstepping boundaries of authority.
2. Summons Must Be Sent in Duplicate
According to BNSS 2169, the summons should be sent in duplicate — that means two copies. One copy is served to the person, and the other is returned with an endorsement (proof) showing whether or not the summons was properly served. This duplicate copy acts as official evidence in the original court.
3. Role of the Local Magistrate
The Magistrate who receives the summons (from the original court) is responsible for making sure it is served to the right person. That Magistrate will follow the same rules for serving the summons as if it were their own case. This shows how different courts work together to make the legal process smooth and fair.
4. Uniform Process Across Regions
Even though the person is outside the court’s local area, the procedure for serving summons remains the same. The rules laid out in previous sections like BNSS Section 64 are still followed. This keeps the legal process standardized and transparent, no matter where the summons is delivered.
5. Ensures Nationwide Reach and Legal Validity
BNSS 2169 helps courts serve summons to anyone across the country. It gives a legal method to reach people in any part of India, even if they are far from the court that issued the summons. This avoids delays, maintains fairness, and ensures no one can avoid legal proceedings just because they live in a different location.
Section 69 of BNSS Overview
BNSS Section 69 explains the proper way to serve a summons to someone who is not living within the court’s local area. If the person is in another city or district, the court must send the summons to a Magistrate in that area, who will then serve it according to the law.
BNSS Section 69 – Service of Summons Outside Local Limits
1. What is BNSS Section 69?
BNSS Section 69 is a legal rule that helps the court send summons to someone who is living or staying outside the local area of the court. This section makes sure that the court’s message reaches the right person even if they are not in the same city, district, or state as the court. The court sends the summons to another Magistrate in the area where the person is present, and that Magistrate helps in serving it properly.
2. Why is This Section Needed?
Sometimes, a person involved in a case may move to another city or state. In such situations, the court cannot serve the summons directly. Section 69 solves this problem by allowing the court to ask help from another Magistrate, who works in the area where the person currently lives. This saves time and avoids unnecessary travel and delays.
3. Who Delivers the Summons?
The court that issues the summons sends it to a Magistrate in another city or area. This local Magistrate then takes the responsibility to serve the summons. He or she will follow all the legal procedures just like any other court would. This helps in maintaining consistency and legality in the process.
4. How Many Copies Are Sent?
The summons must be sent in duplicate – that means two copies. One copy is given to the person who is being summoned. The second copy is returned to the original court with a signature or proof that the summons has been delivered. This duplicate copy works as evidence of service.
5. Legal Process Remains Valid
Even though the summons is being served from a different court area, the legal process is fully valid. Section 69 makes it lawful for courts to send summons across India. This ensures the person is informed properly, and the trial can continue without legal objections about service.
6. Follows Section 64 for Delivery
The summons must be delivered using the same process as mentioned in BNSS Section 64. This includes giving it directly to the person or, if not available, leaving it at their house with family or affixing it to the door. So even though the area is different, the serving rules stay the same.
7. Saves Time and Effort
Without this section, courts would face many delays and complications. It would be hard to call someone from far away without legal support in that area. But with Section 69, courts can send the summons quickly through proper channels. It also avoids the need to send court staff to another city or state.
8. Promotes Inter-Court Cooperation
This section shows the importance of coordination between different courts in India. One court trusts another court (the local Magistrate) to help serve the summons. It builds a network of cooperation, making the justice system more efficient and connected.
9. Protects the Rights of the Accused or Witness
By serving summons properly, Section 69 makes sure that the accused, witness, or any person involved in the case is fully informed. It gives them a fair chance to attend court and explain their side. This supports the idea of natural justice and transparency.
10. Useful for Future Digital Integration
Even though this section talks about sending physical copies, in the future, it can work together with electronic service methods (as per other BNSS sections). Courts may soon be able to send electronic copies to other Magistrates, speeding up the process and making India’s legal system more digital and efficient.
Examples of BNSS Section 69
Example 1:
A court in Pune wants to summon a person who currently resides in Kolkata. The Pune court sends the summons (in duplicate) to a Magistrate in Kolkata, who then serves the summons as per legal rules.
Example 2:
A person involved in a case in Bhopal is temporarily staying in Chennai. The Bhopal court sends the summons to a Chennai Magistrate, who delivers it legally under Section 69.
Section 69 of BNSS Short Information
Key Point | Description |
---|---|
Purpose | Ensures proper service of summons beyond the court’s local area. |
Jurisdiction | Applies when the summoned person is outside the court’s geographical limit. |
Method | Court sends the summons (in duplicate) to a Magistrate in the other area. |
Execution | The local Magistrate ensures service of summons as per procedure. |
Legal Validity | This method makes the service of summons legally valid across locations. |
BNSS Section 69 FAQs
BNSS 69
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