(a) When a plaint/petition as the case may be has been duly presented, the Gram Nyayalaya shall cause the same to be registered, and shall, by summon in writing require the defendant to appear and answer the claim on a specific day..
(b) The summons shall be served on the defendant personally or by registered post acknowledgement due.
(c) In case the summons is served on the defendant personally, his signature shall be taken on the summons by the person serving the summons and a copy thereof delivered to him, and in case of postal service, an acknowledgment purporting, to be signed by the defendant shall be deemed to be proof of service of such summons.
16. If the Gram Nyayalaya is satisfied that the defendant/respondent is evading service of summons, or has refused to affix his signature to the summons, or for any other reason the summons can not be served in the manner provided for in rule 12, the Gram Nyayalaya may order that it be served through an advertisement is daily newspaper circulating in the locality in which the defendant resides, carries on business or works for gain.
17. When the defendant/respondent is beyond local Jurisdiction of Gram Nyayalaya, the summons shall be served through registered post with acknowledgement due and the return of the acknowledgement due shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.
18. In matters of appearance and consequence of non-sppearance of parties Order IX of the Code shall apply.
Apprearance of the parties and consequence of the non appearance
CHAPTER-V