DISCLAIMER

The Bar Council of India does not permit advertisement or solicitation by advocates in any form. By accessing www.asklawxperts.com, you acknowledge that you are seeking information of your own accord and there has been no solicitation, advertisement or inducement by ASK Law Xperts or its members.

This web portal is for information purposes only. No information herein constitutes legal advice, nor does accessing this portal create a lawyer-client relationship. ASK Law Xperts shall not be liable for any action taken by relying on the material provided on this portal.

The name, logo, and content of this website are the intellectual property of ASK Law Xperts. Unauthorized use or reproduction is strictly prohibited.

By clicking "I AGREE", you confirm you have read and understood this disclaimer and wish to proceed of your own free will.
I AGREE I DISAGREE
ASK Law Xperts  •  Adv. Sanjay Kumar  •  D/4029/2014, Bar Council of Delhi
9999374141  •  9315224141  •  sanjaykumarji@gmail.com
Skip to main content

ASK Law Xperts

Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

Cheque Bounce — S.138 NI Act Timeline

Calculate every critical deadline in a cheque dishonour matter — cheque validity, demand-notice limit, payment window and complaint-filing deadline under Sections 138 and 142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

Cheque Bounce — S.138 NI Act Timeline

NI Act 1881 S.138 · S.142 Date-Driven Timeline

Enter the cheque, dishonour and notice dates. The tool checks cheque validity (3 months), the 30-day demand-notice limit, the 15-day payment window from notice receipt, and the 30-day complaint-filing deadline (S.142). It also flags the part-payment issue under Dashrathbhai Patel (SC, 2022). Informational reference only — verify the actual notice service date and consult an advocate before filing.

The 15-day payment period runs from the date the drawer receives the demand notice (not from dishonour). The offence under S.138 is complete only after that 15-day period expires without payment; the complaint must then be filed within 1 month (S.142(1)(b)).

Cheque & Dishonour Details

Demand Notice (S.138 proviso (b)&(c))
Must be within 30 days of dishonour. Leave blank if not yet sent.
15-day payment window runs from this date. Enter the date shown in the postal tracking report (delivered, refused or unclaimed).

S.138 NI Act Timeline

Enter the cheque and dishonour dates to calculate all critical deadlines

Legal Demand Notice — Draft Builder (S.138 NI Act)

Fill the details below to prepare a first draft of the demand notice. Dates entered in the timeline above are picked up automatically. Anything left blank appears as [●] in the draft. The draft is prepared in your browser only — nothing is saved or sent anywhere.

Notice
Sender (Payee / Holder of the cheque)
Addressee (Drawer of the cheque)
Debt / Liability
Cheque(s)
Cheque No.Cheque DateAmount (₹)Drawn on (Bank & Branch)
Presentation & Dishonour
Signing Advocate

This is a first draft for reference. The demand must be for the cheque amount itself; any other sum (interest, cost) is kept separate. The notice has to be sent within 30 days of receiving information of dishonour (S.138 proviso (b)), and the drawer gets 15 days from receipt to pay (proviso (c)). Check the facts, the dates and the current law, and have the draft settled by an advocate before it is sent.

Last updated: 02 October 2026

Related Tools
Consumer Forum CalculatorCourt Fee CalculatorInterest CalculatorLimitation Calculator

Get in Touch

For Appointments at the Office in Rohini or Chamber at Karkardooma Courts.
Practicing Since 2014, Bar Council of Delhi.

Monday – Saturday  |  9:30 AM – 7:30 PM

Primary Phone

+91 9999374141

Tap to call

Secondary Phone

+91 9315224141

Tap to call

WhatsApp

+91 9999374141

Quick message

Email

sanjaykumarji@gmail.com

Tap to send email
Send Detailed Message

For Non-Urgent matters · Visit Contact Us page to fill the form

Contacting us through this website does not create an advocate-client relationship. Do not share confidential information until a formal engagement is confirmed in writing.

Visit Us

Office and Chamber locations of ASK Law Xperts.
Click any map to open in Google Maps for directions.

Monday – Saturday  |  9:30 AM – 7:30 PM

Bar Council of India Disclaimer

As per BCI Rules (Rule 36) · Advocates Act, 1961 · BCI Circular BCI:D 4657/2026 (17.07.2026)

Last Reviewed: 05 Oct 2026

As per the Bar Council of India Rules, advocates are not permitted to advertise or solicit work. This website is intended solely for informational purposes. Nothing on this website should be construed as legal advice or solicitation. An advocate-client relationship is established only upon execution of a formal engagement.

Contacting us through this website or by email does not create an advocate-client relationship. Do not share confidential or privileged information until a formal engagement has been confirmed in writing. By accessing this website you acknowledge that you are seeking information of your own accord and that no advertisement, personal communication, solicitation, invitation or inducement of any sort has been made by ASK Law Xperts or any of its members.

Read Full Disclaimer

Enrolment Number

D/4029/2014

Bar Council of Delhi

Practicing Since

2014

Bar Council of Delhi

Enrolled Under

Advocates Act, 1961

Section 24

Courts of Practice

Delhi

District Courts · Delhi HC · Tribunals