Cheque bounced? · Section 138 legal notice · all India

Cheque bounce legal notice — sent within 30 days, or you lose the right to sue.

Someone's cheque to you was returned unpaid. The law gives you 30 days from the bank memo to send a written demand notice, and the drawer 15 days to pay. This is that notice — drafted from your answers in about 5 minutes, ready to send by registered post.

Cites s.138 and s.142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act correctly Free preview of the full notice before you pay Covers the cheque, bank memo, the debt and the 15-day demand Two revisions · PDF instantly · Hindi version Checklist: how to send it and what to keep Checked and sealed by a panel advocate — included

Legal basis: Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, s.138 proviso (b) — demand within 30 days of the return memo; s.142 — complaint within one month after the 15-day period

One all-inclusive price₹999nothing else to payEverything included Draft from your answers, free preview Checked and sealed by an independent panel advocate PDF in English with a Hindi copy Sent to the drawer by registered post, tracking on your page Proof-of-dispatch pack Two revisions Deadline reminder on WhatsAppDeadline: the notice must go within 30 days of the bank's return memo. Enter the memo date and we show your last day.Start my notice →About 5 minutes · Nothing charged until you've seen the previewOne payment by UPI, card or net-banking. The advocate's check and the registered post are in the price — no add-ons at checkout.

The cheque-bounce timeline

Where the notice fits, and what comes after

Day 0Cheque returnedBank gives a return memo: insufficient funds, account closed, payment stopped.

Within 30 daysSend this demand noticeBy registered post or speed post with acknowledgment. Keep the receipt and tracking — they are your evidence.Draft my notice ₹999 →

15 days after deliveryDrawer pays — or doesn'tIf paid in full, the matter ends. If not, the offence under s.138 is complete.

Next 30 daysComplaint before the magistrateA criminal complaint needs an advocate on record. A panel advocate takes it on and quotes before you pay.Get an advocate for the complaint →

What the notice contains

Your details and the drawer's, as on the cheque
The debt or liability the cheque was for
Cheque number, date, amount, bank and branch
Date of presentation and the return memo's reason
Demand for payment within 15 days of receipt
Notice that a complaint under s.138 follows if unpaid
Copy to your advocate line and a sending checklist

Keep handy before you start

The returned cheque and the bank's return memo
The drawer's full name and postal address
What the cheque was for — invoice, loan, agreement

Received a notice instead?If you issued the cheque and got a notice, reply with your defences inside the 15 days it gives you to pay.Reply to cheque-bounce notice ₹999 →

Questions people ask

Answers reviewed by enrolled advocates. Not legal advice for your specific matter.

What if I miss the 30-day deadline?The criminal remedy under s.138 is usually lost, though a civil recovery suit may still be possible. Talk to an advocate.

Does the notice have to come from a lawyer?No. The law requires a written demand from the payee or holder. Yours is checked and sealed by a panel advocate anyway, so the drawer sees it was reviewed by one.

How should I send it?Registered post or speed post with acknowledgment due, to the drawer's address. Email or WhatsApp in addition, never instead. Keep every receipt.

What if the drawer refuses the letter?A refused or unclaimed notice sent to the correct address is treated as served. Keep the returned envelope unopened.

Can the cheque be presented again?Yes, within its validity. Each dishonour can start a fresh 30-day window, but take advice before relying on this.

Cheque-bounce demand notice, drafted and sent: ₹999 all-inclusive.About 5 minutes. Free preview before you pay. Hindi available.

Start my notice →