What is the deadline for sending a cheque bounce notice?

You must send the demand notice within 30 days of the bank's dishonour memo, demanding payment within 15 days of the drawer receiving it. If unpaid, the criminal complaint must be filed within 30 days after that 15-day period expires. Missing any of these deadlines can get the whole case dismissed on technical grounds.

Is this a Bihar-specific law?

No — Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is a central law that applies across India. We draft and send the notice for you in Patna and across Bihar; the underlying law and deadlines are the same nationwide.

Do you file the court complaint for me?

We draft and send the legal notice, which is the document-drafting step. If the matter proceeds to a criminal complaint after the notice period, that requires a court appearance, so we connect you with an advocate for that stage — we are not a law firm and do not represent you in court.

Cheque Bounce Notice (Section 138)

Strict, unforgiving deadlines: 30 days to send the notice, 15 days for them to pay, 30 more to file a complaint if they don't. We get the notice out correctly and on time.

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Days to send the notice

⚖️ Not a law firm · No legal advice · No attorney-client relationship

The facts, correct and cited

Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (a central law, not Bihar-specific), the demand notice must be sent within 30 days of the bank's dishonour memo.

The notice must demand payment within 15 days of the drawer receiving it. If the amount remains unpaid, a criminal complaint must be filed within 30 days after that 15-day period expires.

Missing any of these three deadlines by even a single day can get the case dismissed on technical grounds, regardless of how genuine the claim is.

How it works

Share the details
The bounced cheque, the bank's dishonour memo/return slip, and the amount owed.
We draft the notice
A Section 138 demand notice citing the correct facts and deadline, sent to you for review.
We send it for you
Via registered post/speed post with tracking, so there is proof of delivery — critical if it goes to court later.
If unpaid, next steps
If the drawer doesn't pay within 15 days of receiving the notice, we connect you with an advocate to file the criminal complaint within the following 30 days.

A cheque bounced? The 30-day clock is already running.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the deadline for sending a cheque bounce notice?: You must send the demand notice within 30 days of the bank's dishonour memo, demanding payment within 15 days of the drawer receiving it. If unpaid, the criminal complaint must be filed within 30 days after that 15-day period expires. Missing any of these deadlines can get the whole case dismissed on technical grounds.
Is this a Bihar-specific law?: No — Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is a central law that applies across India. We draft and send the notice for you in Patna and across Bihar; the underlying law and deadlines are the same nationwide.
Do you file the court complaint for me?: We draft and send the legal notice, which is the document-drafting step. If the matter proceeds to a criminal complaint after the notice period, that requires a court appearance, so we connect you with an advocate for that stage — we are not a law firm and do not represent you in court.