500+

Cheque Bounce Cases

15+

Expert Advocates

85%

Settlement Rate

4.9★

Client Rating

Why You Need a Cheque Bounce Legal Notice

Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

Mandatory Legal Requirement

A legal notice under Section 138 NI Act is mandatory before filing a criminal complaint for cheque dishonour. Without it, your case will be dismissed by the court.

30-Day Deadline

The notice must be sent within 30 days from the date of cheque bounce intimation from your bank. Delaying can result in losing your legal rights permanently.

Recovery + Criminal Action

A cheque bounce case allows you to recover the cheque amount AND file criminal proceedings against the defaulter, with penalties including imprisonment up to 2 years.

Understanding Cheque Bounce Legal Notice

Everything you need to know about Section 138 NI Act proceedings

30-Day Notice Period

Under Section 138, a legal notice must be sent within 30 days of receiving bank's cheque return memo. The recipient then has 15 days to make payment after receiving the notice.

Starting ₹499

Bank Return Memo

The bank's cheque return memo with reason for dishonour (insufficient funds, signature mismatch, account closed, etc.) is essential evidence for your legal notice.

Starting ₹499

Proper Notice Format

A legally valid notice must include specific details — cheque number, date, amount, bank details, return memo reference, and clear demand for payment within 15 days.

Starting ₹499

Proof of Service

Notice must be sent via registered post/speed post with acknowledgment due. Proof of delivery is crucial for filing a criminal complaint if payment is not made.

Starting ₹999

Criminal Complaint Filing

If the defaulter fails to pay within 15 days of receiving notice, you can file a criminal complaint in court. The offence is punishable with imprisonment up to 2 years.

Starting ₹999

Defences Against Cheque Bounce

Common defences include signature mismatch, account closure, stop payment instructions, expired cheques, and discharge of liability. Our advocates build strong cases addressing all defences.

Starting ₹999

Corporate Cheque Bounce

Cheques issued by companies also attract Section 138 liability. Directors may be held personally liable. We assist businesses in recovering dues through legal notice.

Starting ₹999

Amount Recovery

Beyond the cheque amount, you can claim interest, legal costs, and compensation. Our notices include all recoverable amounts to maximise your claim.

Starting ₹499

Settlement Negotiation

Many cheque bounce cases settle after legal notice through compounding. We assist in negotiating settlements that cover the cheque amount and legal costs.

Starting ₹499

How the Cheque Bounce Process Works

From bounced cheque to resolution in 4 simple steps

1

Share Your Case Details

Provide cheque details, bank return memo, and case description. Our experts review your case against Section 138 requirements.

2

Advocate Drafts Notice

Our NI Act experts draft a legally compliant notice with all mandatory particulars — cheque details, return memo reference, demand for payment, and 15-day ultimatum.

3

Notice Delivery

Notice sent via email and speed post with acknowledgment due. Proof of delivery maintained for future legal proceedings.

4

Follow-up & Next Steps

If payment is received — case resolved. If not, our advocates guide you on filing a criminal complaint under Section 138 in the appropriate court.

Cheque Bounce Notice Pricing

Choose the plan that fits your needs. All plans include a legally valid Section 138 notice.

Basic
499
Standard cheque bounce notice
  • Advocate-reviewed notice
  • Email delivery (PDF)
  • Case eligibility check
  • Standard turnaround (48 hrs)
  • Speed post delivery
  • Revisions
Premium
3,999
Complete cheque bounce case solution
  • Senior Advocate drafting
  • Email + WhatsApp + Speed Post
  • In-depth legal consultation
  • Unlimited revisions
  • Premium support (6 hrs)
  • Court filing guidance included

Sample Cheque Bounce Legal Notice

See what a professionally drafted Section 138 NI Act notice looks like

Legal Notice under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

For illustration only
From:
[Your Name / Company Name]
[Your Address]

Through:
Vidhi Legal Services
Advocate, Kolkata

To:
[Defaulter's Name]
[Defaulter's Address]

Subject: LEGAL NOTICE UNDER SECTION 138 OF THE NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS ACT, 1881 READ WITH SECTION 25 OF THE BANKERS' BOOK EVIDENCE ACT

Dear Sir/Madam,

We, Vidhi Legal Services, on behalf of our client [Your Name], hereby serve you with this legal notice regarding the dishonour of cheque bearing No. [Cheque No.] dated [Date] for ₹[Amount] drawn on [Bank Name], [Branch].

FACTS:
1. Our client had advanced a loan / entered into a business transaction with you amounting to ₹[Amount].
2. In discharge of your liability, you issued the aforesaid cheque in favour of our client.
3. Our client presented the cheque for encashment through their banker, [Bank Name], on [Date].
4. The cheque was returned dishonoured with the Bank Return Memo dated [Date] bearing reason: "[Reason — Insufficient Funds / Signature Mismatch / Account Closed / etc.]".
5. Our client received the cheque return memo from their bank on [Date].

DEMAND:
You are hereby called upon to pay the sum of ₹[Amount] (Rupees [in words] only) within 15 days from the receipt of this notice, failing which our client shall be constrained to initiate criminal proceedings against you under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which attracts punishment including imprisonment up to 2 years, fine, or both.

WARNING:
Please note that this matter may also result in civil proceedings for recovery of dues along with interest and costs, and criminal proceedings may affect your creditworthiness and professional reputation.

This notice is without prejudice to the rights and contentions of our client.

Yours faithfully,
Vidhi Legal Services
Advocate, Kolkata

Note: This is a sample format. Your actual legal notice will be professionally drafted by our advocates based on your specific case details and the applicable legal provisions.

Why Choose Vidhi for Cheque Bounce Cases

India's trusted platform for Section 138 NI Act legal notices

NI Act Specialists

Our advocates have extensive experience in cheque bounce cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, ensuring your notice is legally watertight.

Urgent Processing

With only 30 days from the bank return memo to send the notice, our fast turnaround ensures you never miss the deadline.

Transparent Pricing

Fixed price with no hidden charges. Know exactly what you pay. Free consultation included with Professional and Premium plans.

Court-Ready Documentation

All notices include proof of delivery and are formatted to be admissible as evidence in criminal proceedings under Section 138.

Pan India Service

We serve cheque bounce notices across all states in India, valid in all Magistrate Courts and Sessions Courts.

Settlement Assistance

We help negotiate compounding of offences, enabling settlement that avoids criminal proceedings and protects your interests.

Plan Comparison

See exactly what you get with each plan

Feature Basic
₹499
Professional
₹999
Premium
₹3,999
Advocate Drafting
Senior Advocate
Email Delivery (PDF)
WhatsApp Delivery
Speed Post Delivery
Free Consultation
Revisions None 2 Free Unlimited
Turnaround Time 48 hours 24 hours 6 hours
Court Filing Guidance
Case Strategy

What Our Clients Say

Trusted by 500+ cheque bounce clients across India

★★★★★

"My tenant gave me a cheque that bounced. Vidhi Legal drafted a strong Section 138 notice and within 10 days of receiving it, the tenant paid the full amount plus interest. Excellent and prompt service."

MG
Manoj Gupta Cheque Bounce Recovery, Jaipur
★★★★★

"I had a business partner whose cheque bounced for ₹2.5 lakhs. The legal notice from Vidhi was comprehensive and professionally drafted. The matter was settled within 3 weeks. Worth every rupee."

RR
Rajesh Rathi Business Cheque Bounce, Pune
★★★★★

"I was worried about the 30-day deadline but Vidhi processed everything within 24 hours. The advocate explained the entire process clearly. Highly recommend for anyone dealing with a bounced cheque."

PM
Priya Menon Cheque Dishonour, Kochi

Cheque Bounce FAQs

Everything you need to know about Section 138 NI Act legal notices

Under Section 138 of the NI Act, the legal notice must be sent within 30 days from the date of receipt of the bank's cheque return memo. The recipient then has 15 days from the receipt of the notice to make the payment. If payment is not made within 15 days, you can file a criminal complaint within 30 days of the notice period expiry.
Yes, sending a legal notice is MANDATORY under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The court will dismiss your criminal complaint if you fail to send a valid legal notice within the prescribed time limit. The notice must be sent via registered post / speed post with acknowledgment due.
After receiving the notice, the defaulter has 15 days to pay the cheque amount. If they pay, the matter is resolved. If they fail to pay, you can file a criminal complaint under Section 138 in the Magistrate Court. The court can impose imprisonment up to 2 years, fine, or both, along with compensation to the payee.
Signature mismatch is also a valid ground for a cheque bounce notice under Section 138. The cheque return memo from the bank will specify the reason. However, in some cases, the court may consider the drawer's defence if the signature mismatch was due to reasons beyond their control. Our advocates will evaluate your case and advise accordingly.
Section 138 applies only when the cheque was issued for discharge of a legally enforceable debt or liability. Cheques issued as gifts, donations, or for unlawful consideration (like gambling) may not be covered. Our advocates will review your case to determine if it qualifies under Section 138.
Yes. Post-dated cheques are legally valid instruments. If a post-dated cheque is presented on or after its date and bounces, Section 138 applies fully. The countdown starts from the date you receive the bank return memo after presenting the cheque.
Basic plan: email delivery (PDF). Professional plan: email + WhatsApp. Premium plan: email + WhatsApp + Speed Post with acknowledgment due. Speed post delivery provides crucial proof of service required for filing a criminal complaint.
If the notice is sent by speed post with acknowledgment due and the recipient refuses to accept it, the court typically presumes service of notice. The refusal itself is treated as deemed service. Our Premium plan includes proper documentation of delivery attempts for court purposes.

Don't Wait — You Have Only 30 Days!

Send your cheque bounce legal notice today. Every day counts under Section 138 NI Act. Start your case now with Vidhi Legal Services.

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