The correct answer is (a) Order V Rule 20 of CPC.
Order V Rule 20 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 deals with substituted service of summons. Substituted service is a process of serving a summons on a defendant when it is not possible to serve them personally. The court may order substituted service if it is satisfied that the defendant cannot be served personally despite all reasonable efforts.
The following are the grounds on which the court may order substituted service:
- The defendant is absent from the jurisdiction of the court.
- The defendant’s whereabouts are unknown.
- The defendant is evading service of process.
- The defendant is concealing himself from service of process.
- The defendant is a minor.
- The defendant is of unsound mind.
The court may order substituted service in any manner that it deems fit. The most common methods of substituted service are:
- By leaving the summons at the defendant’s last known place of residence.
- By delivering the summons to a responsible person at the defendant’s last known place of residence.
- By publishing a notice of the summons in a newspaper.
Once the summons has been served, the defendant will be given a certain amount of time to respond to the summons. If the defendant does not respond, the court may enter a default judgment against them.
Order V Rule 19A of CPC deals with service of summons on a defendant who is a minor. Order V Rule 19 of CPC deals with service of summons on a defendant who is of unsound mind. Order V Rule 21 of CPC deals with service of summons on a defendant who is evading service of process.