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LEGAL NOTICE - DISHONOR OF CHEQUE (SEC 138)

  • Mandatory first step for initiating criminal action for cheque bounce
  • Exerts strong legal pressure on the defaulter to settle the dues
  • Establishes a clear paper trail for court proceedings under Section 138
  • Provides a 15-day window for the debtor to pay before being sued
  • Increases the chances of out-of-court recovery of the debt
  • Clearly outlines the financial penalties and potential imprisonment risks
  • Demonstrates serious legal intent to recover the outstanding amount

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Experience Icon

7 Years

Of Experience

Cases Solved Icon

3622 +

Cases Solved

Awards Gained Icon

10 +

Awards Gained

Trusted Clients Icon

144 k +

Trusted Clients

Queries Solved Icon

36 k+

Queries Solved

Experience Icon

7 Years

Of Experience

Cases Solved Icon

3622 +

Cases Solved

Awards Gained Icon

10 +

Awards Gained

Trusted Clients Icon

144 k +

Trusted Clients

Queries Solved Icon

36 k+

Queries Solved

Experience Icon

7 Years

Of Experience

Cases Solved Icon

3622 +

Cases Solved

Awards Gained Icon

10 +

Awards Gained

Trusted Clients Icon

144 k +

Trusted Clients

Queries Solved Icon

36 k+

Queries Solved

Overview

A Legal Notice for Dishonor of Cheque is a formal warning sent under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. It must be sent within 30 days of the "Cheque Return Memo" being issued by the bank.

Businesses and individuals need this when a cheque given to them for a "legally enforceable debt" is bounced due to insufficient funds or other reasons. It is a strict legal requirement-you cannot file a criminal case without sending this notice first.

The notice gives the defaulter exactly 15 days to pay the amount. If they still don't pay, you gain the right to file a criminal complaint, which can lead to a penalty of double the cheque amount and up to 2 years in jail.

Why Choose Ark for Cheque Bounce Notice

Aggressive Legal Recovery for Your Outstanding
We draft sharp, authoritative Section 138 notices that compel debtors to settle their payments.

Instant Generation

Automated workflows ensure zero wait times for your PDF export.

Vetted Templates

Updated quarterly to align with the latest regional legal standards.

Standard
  • Transaction details
  • Cheque info
  • Bank memo date
  • 15-day demand
Get Started

FAQs

How soon must I send the notice after a cheque bounces?

Within 30 days from the date you receive the "Return Memo" from your bank.

Does the notice guarantee payment?
How much time does the debtor have to pay?
What if the cheque was given as a "Security"?
Can I send a notice for a cheque that expired?
What is the next step if they don't pay in 15 days?
Can I charge the legal fee from the defaulter?
What is a legal notice for cheque dishonor?
Is sending a legal notice mandatory?
What is the time limit to send the notice?

Why Partner With ARK?

A seamless blend of technology and Chartered Accountant expertise to simplify your business registration.

Comprehensive Tax Services

From GST to income tax, we ensure timely and accurate filings with end-to-end support.

Financial Strategy

We help businesses plan, grow, and manage finances effectively through customized consulting.

ARK Advisor Expert
Startup & MSME Support

Right from business registration to ROC compliance, we assist MSMEs at every stage.

Experienced CA Team

Led by Chartered Accountants with deep domain expertise and industry-specific experience.

What Our Clients Say

Discover what our satisfied clients have to say about their experience working with us

Sandeep Reddy
Founder, Retail Trading Business
" ARK Advisors made our audit process smooth and stress-free. Clear checklist, timely follow-ups, and very practical guidance. "
Anusha Sharma
Partner, Professional Services Firm
" Their team quickly identified compliance gaps and suggested actionable fixes. Reporting was crisp and easy for management to understand. "
Rohit Kulkarni
CFO, Manufacturing Unit
" We got strong process recommendations and control improvements. The audit insights genuinely helped us reduce leakage and improve discipline. "
Meghana Rao
Director, Startup
" Professional, responsive, and very transparent. They explained everything in simple terms and kept the entire process on schedule. "
Imran Khan
Owner, Hospitality Business
" The team ensured our documentation was audit-ready and supported us throughout. Great experience and strong attention to detail. "

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