Cheque bounce — received a legal notice

What you need to know

If you receive cheque bounce notice under NI Act Section 138, you MUST reply within 15 days — pay, dispute, or explain. Ignoring leads to criminal prosecution and up to 2 years imprisonment.

Your rights

15 days to reply after receiving legal notice

Settle payment to avoid criminal proceedings

Dispute the cheque or underlying transaction

Legal representation if court case filed

What you should do now

Action first

Reply within 15 days — this is mandatory and most critical

Use the reply draft in this app
Send by speed post with acknowledgment and keep proof of delivery
Either pay the amount, or clearly dispute the transaction in the reply

If case filed in Magistrate Court

Hire a criminal lawyer immediately — NI Act Section 138 is a criminal offence with up to 2 years imprisonment

Acts applicable

Negotiable Instruments Act 1881

central

Section 138 — Dishonour of cheque for insufficiency of funds

Where to complain

eCourts — Find District Court

Consumer complaint portal: e-jagriti.gov.in (replaced edaakhil.nic.in as of Jan 2025). Labour complaints: col.gujarat.gov.in. All links verified June 2026 via web search against official government sources.