06/10/2026
Holding a bounced cheque? Waiting endlessly on empty promises can permanently extinguish your legal right to file a criminal recovery case.
The law provides a strict 30 – 15 – 30 day framework under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act:
1️⃣ Within 30 Days: You must issue a formal legal demand notice from the date of the bank return memo.
2️⃣ 15 Days Notice Period: The issuer gets 15 days to pay the money.
3️⃣ Within 30 Days: If they fail to pay, you must file a complaint before the court within the next 30 days.
Act before your statutory deadline expires.