📘 1. Introduction
A cheque bounce notice is a formal legal notice issued under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 when a cheque is dishonoured by the bank due to insufficient funds, mismatch in signature, or closure of account. Serving this notice is legally mandatory before filing a case in court.
🧾 2. Types of Notices Related to Cheque Bounce
There’s no “license” involved per se, but different forms of legal notices exist under cheque dishonour cases:
- Standard Legal Notice under Sec 138 NI Act
- Corporate Cheque Bounce Notices (Companies Act applicable)
- Loan Repayment Bounces
- Post-Dated Cheque Issues
- Multiple Dishonour Cases (Repeated offenders)
👤 3. Who Needs to Send a Cheque Bounce Notice?
This applies to:
- Individuals who issued a cheque for personal/business transactions
- Small business owners
- Loan providers
- Freelancers, consultants, and service providers
- Landlords (if rent cheque bounced)
Anyone whose money is stuck due to a dishonoured cheque can initiate this process.
🛡️ 4. Why Choose a Legal Drafting Service Provider?
Sending a cheque bounce notice involves specific language, timelines, and formatting. A service provider ensures:
- Your notice is legally valid
- It meets all Section 138 conditions
- Includes proof of service & follow-up steps
- Avoids technical errors that weaken your case
📄 5. Cheque Bounce Notice Format [Updated for 2025]
Subject: Legal Notice under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
To,
[Name of Drawer]
[Address]
From,
[Your Full Name/Company Name]
[Address]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Dear Sir/Madam,
This legal notice is served upon you for dishonour of cheque bearing number [Cheque No.] dated [Cheque Date] for ₹[Amount] drawn on [Bank Name], issued towards discharge of your liability.
The said cheque was returned unpaid due to [mention reason: insufficient funds / signature mismatch / account closed] on [Return Date].
You are hereby called upon to pay ₹[Amount] within 15 days of receipt of this notice, failing which I shall initiate legal proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Signature]
[Contact Information]
🗂️ 6. Required Documents
To send a cheque bounce notice, you’ll need:
- Dishonoured cheque copy
- Bank return memo
- Invoice or proof of transaction
- Communication records (email/SMS/letters)
- ID and address proof of sender
💰 7. Cost Involved
| Service | Estimated Cost (INR) |
| Lawyer’s drafting fee | ₹800 – ₹2,000 |
| Courier with tracking/postal proof | ₹150 – ₹500 |
| End-to-end legal support (case follow-up) | ₹2,500+ |
⏱️ 8. Time Taken
- Drafting the notice: 1 day
- Serving notice via courier/speed post: 2–4 days
- Legal response window: 15 days
- Filing a complaint: within 30 days of expiry of 15-day window
🚫 9. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not sending the notice within 30 days of cheque return
- Using incorrect cheque details
- No proof of notice delivery
- Using non-legal language
- Waiting too long before filing the complaint
📞 10. Call-to-Action (CTA)
Facing a cheque bounce issue? We can help you send a legally valid notice with proof in 24 hours.
📧 Email: opriyatrendingpvtltd@gmail.com
📱 WhatsApp: +91 7588756518
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❓ 11. FAQs
Q1. Is cheque bounce a criminal offence in India?
✔️ Yes, under Section 138 NI Act, it is a criminal offence punishable with jail or fine.
Q2. Is legal notice mandatory?
✔️ Yes, it’s compulsory before filing a cheque bounce complaint in court.
Q3. Can I send the notice by email?
✖️ No. You must send it via registered post or courier with tracking for legal validity.
Q4. What is the time limit to file a cheque bounce case?
✔️ Within 30 days from expiry of 15 days post notice delivery.
Q5. What if the cheque was issued by a company?
✔️ You can send notice to the company and also the responsible signatory/directors.
