Service of summons by post, even if acknowledged, is not sufficient to confirm an ex parte decree if the defendant challenges the service and denies receiving the summons. In such cases, personal service by a court officer is required.

ORDER:- This is a civil revision petition against the order of the learned Principal District Munsif. Mayuram, setting aside the ex parte decree passed in O. S. 201 of 1971 on a petition filed by the defendant and numbered as I. A. 1041 of 1973. The decree was passed on 1-6-1971. The petition to set aside the ex parte decree was filed on 30-12-1972 contending that the petitioner was not served with summons and that she came to know about the ex parte decree only on 14-12-1972. This petition was resisted by the plaintiff who contended inter alia that the defendant was served with summons by post, that possession of the building in pursuance of the ex parte decree was also taken in execution proceedings, and that, therefore, the defendant should have been aware of the passing of the ex parte decree against her. The defendant contended that no possession was delivered and that only records have been created to make it appear that possession had been delivered. Her contention was that she had been granted patta by the Government for the suit site. The learned District Munsif found that only paper delivery had been made and that the plaintiff had not proved the service of summons on the defendant. There is no reason to differ from the view of the learned District Munsif that delivery was recorded only on paper and that physical possession had not been given. The evidence adduced for the delivery of possession is unconvincing. The respondent (plaintiff) who was examined as R.W. 1 in the Court below, was not in a position to say whether or not the defendant continued to live in the suit house. On the other hand, the defendant, who examined herself as P. W. 1 and Nagappan who was examined as P. W. 2 have proved that the defendant has been and is still living in the suit house and that she has been living there uninterruptedly. Therefore, there is no doubt about the fact that in collusion with the Amin, records have been created by the plaintiff to make it appear that possession was delivered. Hence, the defendant would not have known about the passing of the ex parte decree unless summons had been served on her as contended by the plaintiff. The summons was sent to her by post. The defendant deposing as P. W. 1 has sworn that she has not received any summons or notice in connection with the suit. The alleged acknowledgment of the defendant has not been exhibited. The postman has not been examined to prove that he has served the summons on the defendant. Assuming that a postal acknowledgment purporting to be the acknowledgment of the service of the summons on a woman called Nacharammal had been returned to the Court, there is nothing to show that the person Nacharammal on whom the summons was served is the defendant in this case.

2. As per O. 5, R. 9 (1) and (2), C.P.C., as it stands now, the service of summons by post on a party does not appear to be sufficient to confirm an order passed ex parte, if the concerned party challenges the service of summons by post and denies having received the same. Order 5, R. 9, C.P.C. as amended on 27-3-1963 is as follows:

9. (1) whether the defendant resides in India whether within or without the jurisdiction of the Court in which the suit is instituted, the Court may direct the proper officer to cause a summons under this order to be addressed to the defendant at the place, where he ordinarily resides or carries on business or works for gain, and sent to him by registered post prepaid for acknowledgment.

(2) Where the summons is returned unserved or the defendant does not appear on the day, fixed in the summons the court may direct that the summons shall be delivered or sent to the proper officer to be served by him or one of his subordinates on the defendant.

(3) The proper officer may be an officer of a Court other than that in which the suit is instituted and where he is such an officer the summons may be sent to him by post or in such other manner as the Court may direct.

(4) Notwithstandin