Where service may be on an adult member of defendant's family
Full Text
Where in any suit the defendant is absent from his residence at the time when the service of summons is sought to be effected on him at his residence and there is no likelihood of his being found at the residence within a reasonable time and he has no agent empowered to accept service of the summons on his behalf, service may be made on any adult member of the family, whether male or female, who is residing with him.
Explanation.—A servant is not a member of the family within the meaning of this rule.
Plain English Summary
Authorizes service of summons on any adult family member (male or female) residing with the defendant during their prolonged absence, while expressly excluding domestic servants from the definition of family.
Key Legal Elements
- Absence & Reasonable Time Test: Defendant must be absent with no likelihood of return within reasonable time.
- Gender Equality: 1976 Amendment removed the male-only restriction; service on adult female family member is equally valid.
- Residing Together Requirement: The adult family member must actually reside with the defendant.
- Servant Expressly Excluded: Explanation strictly prohibits service on domestic servants, cooks, drivers, or employees.
Practical Note
Courtroom Precedents & Setting Aside Ex Parte Decrees: 1. Challenge to Service on Servants / Strangers: If summons was served on a security guard, domestic helper, or non-resident relative, the service is a nullity. Move under Order IX Rule 13 citing the Explanation to Rule 15. 2. Genuine Family Member Requirement: In State of J&K v. Haji Wali Mohammed (AIR 1972 SC 2534), service on a person not living with the defendant was held invalid. Process server's report must state that the family member was residing in the same household. 3. Temporary Absence Trap: Mere transient absence for a few hours does not justify serving a family member; there must be no likelihood of finding the defendant within a reasonable time.
हिंदी पाठ
जहां किसी वाद में प्रतिवादी उस समय अपने निवास-स्थान से अनुपस्थित है जब उसके निवास-स्थान पर उस पर समन की तामील का प्रयास किया जाता है और उसके उचित समय के भीतर निवास-स्थान पर मिलने की कोई संभावना नहीं है तथा उसकी ओर से समन की तामील स्वीकार करने के लिए सशक्त उसका कोई अभिकर्ता नहीं है, वहां तामील परिवार के किसी ऐसे वयस्क सदस्य पर, चाहे वह पुरुष हो या स्त्री, की जा सकेगी जो उसके साथ निवास कर रहा हो।
स्पष्टीकरण—इस नियम के अर्थ के अंतर्गत कोई सेवक परिवार का सदस्य नहीं है।