Notice
Lost money online? Call 1930 or report at cybercrime.gov.in immediately Cheque returned unpaid? The demand notice must go within 30 days of the return memo Never share an OTP, UPI PIN or screen-sharing access with anyone Received a police notice? Keep a copy and take legal advice before you respond Chamber: 3RD FLOOR KRISHNA MANSION CIVIL LINES GURUGRAM
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Free tool · Section 138 NI Act

Cheque bounce deadline calculator

Enter the dates from your cheque, the bank's return memo and the demand notice. The calculator shows the last date for each step the law sets, and how many days are left.

The cheque
The bank's return memo
The demand notice

How the dates are counted

  1. Cheque validity. A cheque must be presented within three months from the date written on it, as per RBI directions in force since 1 April 2012.
  2. Demand notice. Must be sent in writing within 30 days of receiving the bank's information about dishonour (Section 138(b)).
  3. Time to pay. The drawer gets 15 days from receiving the notice (Section 138(c)). The offence is complete only if payment is not made within these 15 days.
  4. Complaint. Must be filed within one month from the day the cause of action arises, that is, the day after the 15 days end (Section 142(1)(b)).

Points to keep in mind

  • The first day is left out when counting (Section 9, General Clauses Act, 1897). "One month" means a calendar month: Saketh India Ltd. v. India Securities Ltd., (1999) 3 SCC 1, and Econ Antri Ltd. v. Rom Industries Ltd., (2014) 11 SCC 769.
  • A complaint filed before the 15 days end is premature: Yogendra Pratap Singh v. Savitri Pandey, (2014) 10 SCC 713.
  • If the complaint is late, the court can still take it up if sufficient cause for the delay is shown (proviso to Section 142(1)(b)).
  • If the notice came back "refused" or "unclaimed", service can still be presumed. Which date to count from then depends on the facts, so take advice.
  • If a last date falls on a Sunday or court holiday, check the court calendar. It is safest to act before the last date.

Guides on cheque bounce

This calculator gives general information based on the dates you enter. It is not legal advice. Limitation can depend on facts the calculator cannot see, so please confirm your dates with an advocate before acting on them.

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