Cheque Bounce Deadline Calculator
A dishonoured cheque runs on strict clocks: 30 days to send the notice, 15 days for the drawer to pay, then 1 month to file in court. Miss one and even a strong case can become time-barred. Enter your dates below and get every Section 138 deadline instantly.
Enter the date you received the cheque return memo to see your notice deadline. Add the notice service date to see the full timeline up to court filing.
Dates are computed per Sections 138 and 142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 and are indicative only. Limitation questions can turn on facts (deemed service, holidays, condonation). Confirm your specific deadlines with a qualified advocate before acting.
Deadline close? We can send the notice within 24 hours.
Inamdar Legal drafts and dispatches Section 138 demand notices by registered post, with every date and amount verified, from Surat for clients across India. Send us the cheque, the return memo, and the transaction details on WhatsApp and we take it from there.
How the Section 138 timeline works
- 1
Cheque presented and dishonoured
Your bank returns the cheque with a Cheque Return Memo stating the reason (usually insufficient funds). A cheque can be presented any number of times within its 3-month validity.
- 2
30 days: send the demand notice
From the date you receive the return memo, you have 30 days to send a written demand notice to the drawer asking for the exact cheque amount. Registered post with acknowledgement due is the safest mode.
- 3
15 days: the drawer's chance to pay
Once the drawer receives the notice, they get 15 days to pay. If the drawer refuses delivery, courts treat it as deemed service.
- 4
1 month: file the complaint
If the 15 days pass without payment, the cause of action arises on the 16th day. You then have 1 month to file a criminal complaint before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, normally where your bank branch is located (Section 142(2)).
Read the full guides
Disclaimer: This calculator and page are for general information only and are not legal advice. Deadlines can be affected by facts such as deemed service, re-presentation, court holidays, and condonation of delay. Consult a qualified advocate to confirm the limitation position in your matter. Inamdar Legal is based in Surat, Gujarat and supports clients across India remotely. Contact: support@inamdarlegal.com | WhatsApp +91 9106469665.