Soon, postmen will ease police burden, deliver court summons

To reduce the burden of an already-stressed police force, the postal department will soon assume the responsibility of delivering court summons to people. The postal and police departments recently had a meeting to discuss the possibility. Senior officials from both the departments also had a detailed discussion with state chief secretary Jayant Banthia. 

So far, only policemen were allowed to personally deliver summons to the concerned people.

Every year, around 80 lakh summons were handed over across the state. However, this is likely to change if all goes as per plan.

“We are ready to take up the job of delivering summons using the speed post service. We will use special envelopes and treat the matter on priority basis as we understand the importance of delivering summons to the concerned people,” said Col KC Mishra, postmaster general, Maharashtra circle. He said postmen will be trained to take acknowledgment receipts and that the police department will be informed about the summons delivered.

Mishra said the charges and other details are yet to be finalised as the department is waiting for the state government’s nod. “The chief secretary was very positive about giving us the responsibility. People can get summons in 2-3 days via speed post,” he said. 

Sources said though there is an acute shortage of policemen in the state, they have been thrust with the duty of delivering summons. “If the postal department can do the job, it will be good.

However, it should ensure that the summons reach people on time,” a source said.

The postal department already delivers important documents such as passports, Aadhaar cards and driving licences. The state postal department delivered 2.15 crore rakhis across the country last year with the Mumbai region alone delivering 66 lakh rakhis.