A cheque bounce case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 depends on strict deadlines. Miss one and the case can fail. Enter your dates below to see each deadline.
Cheque bounce deadline calculator
Only the return memo date is required. Add the other dates if you have them.
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The four deadlines in a cheque bounce case
- Presentation: the cheque must be presented to the bank within its validity, generally three months from the date on the cheque.
- Notice: after the cheque is returned unpaid (for example, “insufficient funds” or “payment stopped”), the payee must send a written demand notice to the drawer within 30 days of receiving the bank’s information.
- Payment window: the drawer has 15 days from receiving the notice to pay.
- Complaint: if the drawer does not pay, the cause of action arises and the complaint must be filed before the Magistrate within one month (Section 142).
Where to file in Mumbai
Under Section 142(2), the complaint is ordinarily filed in the court within whose local jurisdiction the payee’s bank branch (where the cheque was presented for collection through the payee’s account) is situated. For details, see cheque bounce: the 30-day notice deadline.
This tool gives general information to help you prepare. It is not legal advice, and nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.