Cheque Bounce Notice
A lawyer-drafted demand notice under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, sent to the person whose cheque was dishonoured — the step the law requires before a cheque bounce complaint can be filed.
Overview
Timing is strict. The notice must be sent within 30 days of receiving your bank's return memo, and it must demand payment of the cheque amount within 15 days of receipt. If that period passes without payment, a complaint can be filed within the following month in the court with jurisdiction over the branch of your bank where the cheque was presented.
We draft the notice around the facts of your transaction — what the cheque was for, when it was presented, and why it was returned — so that it meets the statutory requirements and supports a complaint if one is needed.
What's included
- check_circle Demand notice drafted to the requirements of Section 138, NI Act
- check_circle Cheque, dishonour and transaction details set out precisely
- check_circle 15-day payment demand and the consequences of non-payment
- check_circle Your review and one round of revisions
- check_circle Final notice issued by a verified advocate
What we'll need
- 01Date you received the bank's return memo
- 02Name and address of the person who issued the cheque
- 03What the cheque was for, and any agreement or invoice behind it
- attach_file Identity proof
- attach_file Bounced cheque
- attach_file Bank return memo
- attach_file Agreement or invoice (optional)
Common use cases
- Payment for goods or services returned unpaid
- Repayment of a personal or business loan
- Security or post-dated cheques that bounced
How it works
- 01
Tell us the details
A short form and any documents we need.
- 02
Pay securely
A verified professional picks up your request.
- 03
Track & receive
Follow progress and get your documents in your dashboard.
Common questions
What is the deadline to send a cheque bounce notice?
The notice must be sent within 30 days of receiving the bank's return memo stating that the cheque was dishonoured. Missing this window means a complaint under Section 138 cannot be filed for that dishonour, so start as soon as the memo arrives.
What happens after the notice is received?
The drawer has 15 days from receiving the notice to pay the cheque amount. If they do not pay, a criminal complaint under Section 138 can be filed within one month after those 15 days end. The court may also order interim compensation of up to 20% of the cheque amount under Section 143A.
What is the punishment for cheque bounce?
On conviction, the court can impose imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to twice the cheque amount, or both. Many cases settle once the drawer understands these consequences, which is why a well-drafted notice matters.
Does Section 138 apply if the cheque was returned for 'account closed' or 'payment stopped'?
Yes. Section 138 covers cheques returned for insufficient funds, and courts have applied it to returns for reasons such as 'account closed' and 'payment stopped by drawer'. The reason on the return memo is checked before the notice is drafted.
Which court hears a cheque bounce complaint?
Since the 2015 amendment, the complaint is filed in the court within whose jurisdiction the branch of the payee's bank, where the cheque was presented for collection, is located.
Related reading
Cheque bounce notice format under Section 138 (with sample)
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