{"id":35933,"date":"2026-11-11T11:59:31","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T11:59:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=35933"},"modified":"2026-11-11T12:03:18","modified_gmt":"2026-11-11T12:03:18","slug":"section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/","title":{"rendered":"A Cheque Returned Unpaid: The Dates That Decide Whether a Section 138 Complaint Survives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"h-understanding-section-138-of-the-negotiable-instruments-act-1881\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_Section_138_of_the_Negotiable_Instruments_Act_1881\"><\/span>Understanding Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a cheque is dishonoured, anger is the usual first reaction and a quick message to the drawer the second. The law, however, cares less about how upset the holder is and more about dates. Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 is a short provision, but it works like a relay race: each runner must receive the baton within a set time, or the race is over. This article follows those dates and the choices a cheque holder faces along the way.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Understanding_Section_138_of_the_Negotiable_Instruments_Act_1881\" >Understanding Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#What_Has_to_Be_True_for_Section_138_to_Apply\" >What Has to Be True for Section 138 to Apply<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#The_Three_Important_Dates_Under_Section_138\" >The Three Important Dates Under Section 138<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Date_One_The_Demand_Notice\" >Date One: The Demand Notice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Date_Two_Fifteen_Days_for_the_Drawer\" >Date Two: Fifteen Days for the Drawer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Date_Three_The_Complaint\" >Date Three: The Complaint<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Interim_Compensation_and_What_Follows\" >Interim Compensation and What Follows<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Punishment_for_Cheque_Dishonour\" >Punishment for Cheque Dishonour<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Common_Mistakes_by_the_Holder\" >Common Mistakes by the Holder<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Common_Mistakes_by_the_Drawer\" >Common Mistakes by the Drawer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#A_Working_Timeline_Under_Section_138\" >A Working Timeline Under Section 138<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Practical_Steps_to_Protect_Your_Legal_Rights\" >Practical Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-138-ni-act-cheque-bounce-notice-time-limit\/#Legal_Disclaimer\" >Legal Disclaimer<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-what-has-to-be-true-for-section-138-to-apply\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Has_to_Be_True_for_Section_138_to_Apply\"><\/span>What Has to Be True for Section 138 to Apply<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The section deals with a cheque drawn on a bank account for payment of money, where the cheque is returned unpaid because the money in the account is insufficient or because it exceeds the amount arranged with the bank. Four conditions must be present together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The cheque was issued to discharge, wholly or partly, a legally enforceable debt or other liability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It was presented to the bank within its validity, which under banking rules is three months from the date written on it, or within the validity of the cheque if that is shorter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It came back unpaid, with a memo from the bank stating the reason.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The holder then followed the notice and complaint steps within time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cheque given as a gift, or for a debt that has no legal enforceability, is a weaker candidate. Courts also look at whether the cheque was blank, post-dated or &#8220;security&#8221;, and the answers depend on the facts, so papers matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-three-important-dates-under-section-138\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Three_Important_Dates_Under_Section_138\"><\/span>The Three Important Dates Under Section 138<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-date-one-the-demand-notice\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Date_One_The_Demand_Notice\"><\/span>Date One: The Demand Notice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the bank returns the cheque, the payee must send a written demand to the drawer. Section 138 requires this to be done within thirty days of receiving information from the bank that the cheque is unpaid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The notice must demand payment of the cheque amount, and it should refer to the cheque by number, date and amount, and to the return memo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Send it to the drawer&#8217;s correct address by a method that leaves a record, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Registered post with acknowledgement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Courier with tracking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Email as well when the parties have used email before.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many cases are lost at this point. A notice that arrives after the thirty days, is addressed wrongly, or leaves out the cheque amount gives the drawer an easy defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep the postal receipt, tracking page and the notice itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-date-two-fifteen-days-for-the-drawer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Date_Two_Fifteen_Days_for_the_Drawer\"><\/span>Date Two: Fifteen Days for the Drawer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The drawer has fifteen days from receiving the notice to pay the amount. Payment inside this window ends the criminal exposure under Section 138.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is a window for settlement too: a short written agreement, with the payment made by bank transfer, is cleaner than cash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What counts as a receipt can be disputed. If the notice was refused or returned as &#8220;unclaimed&#8221;, the question of when it is treated as delivered can arise. Keep the postal remarks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-date-three-the-complaint\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Date_Three_The_Complaint\"><\/span>Date Three: The Complaint<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the drawer does not pay within the fifteen days, the cause of action arises. Under Section 142 of the Act, the complaint must then be filed in the magistrate&#8217;s court within one month of that date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court has power to take up a complaint after that time if satisfied that there was sufficient cause for the delay, but depending on that is risky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The complaint must be made by the payee or holder in due course, in writing, with the following documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The cheque.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bank return memo.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The legal demand notice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Proof of sending the notice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court that hears it is generally the one within whose area the payee&#8217;s bank branch is located, a rule adjusted by amendment and later decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-interim-compensation-and-what-follows\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Interim_Compensation_and_What_Follows\"><\/span>Interim Compensation and What Follows<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Section 143A allows the court to order the drawer to pay interim compensation of up to twenty per cent of the cheque amount once the complaint has been filed, in appropriate cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the drawer later appeals against a conviction, Section 148 permits the appellate court to ask for a deposit of a part of the amount awarded. These provisions were added to discourage delay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-punishment-for-cheque-dishonour\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Punishment_for_Cheque_Dishonour\"><\/span>Punishment for Cheque Dishonour<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On conviction, Section 138 provides for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Imprisonment of up to two years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A fine of up to twice the cheque amount.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Or both.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, a very large number of cases are resolved through settlement, often with the court&#8217;s help, and the court can allow a compromise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-common-mistakes-by-the-holder\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes_by_the_Holder\"><\/span>Common Mistakes by the Holder<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A cheque holder should avoid the following mistakes while pursuing a cheque dishonour complaint:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Presenting the cheque after its validity has passed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Waiting for a reply from the drawer before sending the notice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sending the notice for the wrong amount or to an old address.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Filing the complaint a day late.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Failing to attach the bank&#8217;s return memo.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-common-mistakes-by-the-drawer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Mistakes_by_the_Drawer\"><\/span>Common Mistakes by the Drawer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The drawer should also be careful when responding to a cheque dishonour notice. Common mistakes include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ignoring the notice altogether.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Paying part of the amount without a written receipt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assuming that a stop-payment instruction ends liability, courts examine the reason for the stop.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaving blank signed cheques with others without any record.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-a-working-timeline-under-section-138\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Working_Timeline_Under_Section_138\"><\/span>A Working Timeline Under Section 138<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The following timeline summarises the important stages in a cheque dishonour case:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Stage<\/th><th>Time Limit<\/th><th>Action Required<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Day 0<\/td><td>Bank memo received<\/td><td>Note the date of receiving information about dishonour.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>By Day 30<\/td><td>Within 30 days<\/td><td>Send the written demand notice to the drawer.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Notice Received<\/td><td>15 days<\/td><td>The drawer gets fifteen days to make payment.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>After 15 Days<\/td><td>Cause of action arises.<\/td><td>If payment is not made, the cause of action arises.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Complaint Filing<\/td><td>Within one month<\/td><td>File the complaint before the competent magistrate&#8217;s court.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Important:<\/strong> The limitation periods under Section 138 and Section 142 must be calculated carefully. The date of receipt of the bank&#8217;s information and the date of receipt of the legal notice are particularly important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-practical-steps-to-protect-your-legal-rights\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Practical_Steps_to_Protect_Your_Legal_Rights\"><\/span>Practical Steps to Protect Your Legal Rights<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Write the dates in a notebook or a spreadsheet the day you open the memo. It is dull advice, and it is also what prevents most losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a legal opinion on a particular cheque, an advocate will want the cheque copy, the bank memo, the agreement or invoice behind it, and the notice and receipts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the firm that prepared this note, see VIVS Legal, a law firm in Sanpada, Navi Mumbai, that takes cheque, property, family and banking matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-legal-disclaimer\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Disclaimer\"><\/span>Legal Disclaimer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is general information, not legal advice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links yoast-seo-related-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/dishonour-of-cheque-and-its-laws\/\">Dishonour Of Cheque And Its Laws<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/cheque-dishonour-due-to-account-freezing-section-138-ni-act\/\">Cheque Dishonour from Frozen Account \u2013 Is Section 138 NI Act Attracted?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/legal-framework-governing-dishonour-of-cheques-in-india-and-the-role-of-police\/\">Legal Framework Governing Dishonour of Cheques in India and the Role of Police<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/a-honourable-dissent-reconsidering-the-doctrine-of-personal-liability-for-authorized-signatories-under-section-138-of-the-negotiable-instruments-act-1881\/\">An Honourable Dissent: Reconsidering the Doctrine of Personal Liability For Authorized Signatories Under Section 138 of thefor Authorised Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/the-negotiable-instruments-act-1881-legal-framework-governing-cheques-bills-and-promissory-notes\/\">The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881: Legal Framework Governing Cheques, Bills, and Promissory Notes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understanding Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 When a cheque is dishonoured, anger is the usual first reaction and a quick message to the drawer the second. The law, however, cares less about how upset the holder is and more about dates. Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 is a short<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1734,"featured_media":36019,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[1008,28],"class_list":["post-35933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-civil-law","tag-civil-law","tag-top-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.8 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - 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