Cheque Bounce Notice (Section 138)
Demand notice and complaint for dishonoured cheques
- 1NoticeDemand sent within 30 days.
- 2Wait15 days for payment tracked.
- 3ComplainComplaint filed within one month if unpaid.
Share your details. We’ll reply on WhatsApp with the next steps and a checklist.
Pick a plan — the fee is adjusted if you hire us within 30 days.
About Cheque Bounce Notice (Section 138)
A clear overview, in simple terms — what it is, why it matters, and how we handle it.
If a cheque given for a debt bounces, the payee must send a written demand notice to the drawer within 30 days of receiving the bank's return memo. The drawer then has 15 days to pay. If they don't, the payee can file a criminal complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act within one month after those 15 days. The offence carries up to two years' imprisonment or a fine up to twice the cheque amount, or both.
The timelines are strict and missing one usually means losing the criminal remedy (though a civil recovery suit remains). The cheque must have been presented within its three-month validity and issued for a legally enforceable debt.
We prepare the notice through partner advocates within the deadline, track the 15-day period, and coordinate the complaint with documents in the order courts expect.
| Notice | Within 30 days of the return memo |
|---|---|
| Drawer's time to pay | 15 days from receipt of notice |
| Complaint | Within 1 month after the 15-day period |
| Punishment | Up to 2 years and/or fine up to twice the amount |
| Cheque validity | 3 months from its date |
Work that the law requires a advocate to sign or represent is delivered through Indus Tax's partner professionals; our team prepares the records, coordinates the filing and stays your single point of contact.
Who this is for
Common scenarios where this service is a good fit.
- Businesses and individuals with bounced cheques
- Lenders and landlords
- Drawers who received a Section 138 notice
What you get
Clear deliverables so you know exactly what's included.
- Notice drafting and dispatch
- Timeline tracking
- Complaint coordination through partner advocates
Expert review before every submission — not just data entry.
Working notes and reconciliations you can rely on in future notices.
Resident Indians, NRIs, expats and cross-border businesses — all served.
Documents required
A practical checklist. We'll tell you if anything else is needed based on your case.
* This is a base checklist. After a quick pre-check, we may ask for additional items specific to your case.
Process
A simple, trackable workflow — designed to avoid back-and-forth.
Demand sent within 30 days.
15 days for payment tracked.
Complaint filed within one month if unpaid.
Get a quote
We share a clear quote on WhatsApp after a quick checklist pre-check.
- Fixed quote on WhatsApp after a short look at your facts and documents.
- Work that legally needs a advocate is signed by a partner professional; we coordinate it end to end.
- Government fees, if any, are paid at actuals and shown separately.
| Factor | DIY | Indus Tax |
|---|---|---|
| Expert review | ❌ | ✅ |
| Notice risk reduction | ❌ | ✅ |
| Deduction optimisation | ❌ | ✅ |
| Audit-ready records | ❌ | ✅ |
| AIS/26AS reconciliation | ❌ | ✅ |
Share your facts and deadline. We'll reply with the right checklist and a clear quote.
Fee adjusted against our service fee if you go ahead within 30 days.
- Priority CA Call-backSkip the queue — a CA calls you within 30 minutes.₹255
- RecommendedCA Consultation (30 min)Talk one matter through properly with a CA.₹755
- In-depth CA Review (60 min)Documents reviewed before the call, written action plan after.₹1,155
Call-backs run Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST. Booked outside these hours? We call you first thing the next working morning.
Compare the 3 plansFrequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions we get.
Official sources
Indus Tax is a private professional services firm and is not affiliated with any government authority. Rules and fees change — we confirm current positions before filing.
