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Cheque bounced? Know your legal rights!

Cheque bounce occurrences sometimes result in conflicts between creditors and debtors, owing to a lack of understanding about the legal rights and remedies available. Many people suffer huge financial losses simply because they are uninformed of the appropriate legal procedures to follow. The legislation has explicit safeguards in place to ensure openness and trust in financial transactions, which must be implemented efficiently.

The aim of this article is to educate readers on their legal rights and protections in cheque bounce incidents. It emphasises the significance of taking prompt legal action to prevent fraud and details the procedures and penalties involved.

What is cheque bounce?

Cheque bounce occurs when a bank refuses to honour the amount stated on the cheque. When the cheque holder (the person or institution depositing the cheque) deposits the cheque into their account, but the bank is unable to honour it because of insufficiency of the funds in the account and returns it, the cheque is said to have “bounced.”

Major reasons for cheque dishonor

  1. Insufficient funds: The most typical cause of a cheque bounce is a low balance in the drawer’s account.
  2. Signature mismatch: If the cheque’s signature does not match the bank’s records, it will be rejected, which is typical in business transactions.
  3. Frozen or closed account: Cheques from frozen or closed accounts are dishonoured. Issuing a cheque after the account has been closed leads it to bounce.
  4. Technical Errors on Cheques: Errors such as inaccurate dates, unauthorised overwriting, or incorrect IFSC/account numbers result in cheque rejection.
  5. Stop Payment Instructions: If the drawer demands that the bank withhold payment, the cheque bounces; such circumstances may result in legal action.
  6. Depositing a Post-Dated Check: Banks do not clear cheques that have been deposited before their date.
  7. Deceased Drawer’s Account: Cheques issued by a deceased individual are not accepted if deposited posthumously.

What to do if a cheque bounces?

A cheque bounce happens when a cheque is rejected for reasons such as insufficient funds, signature mismatch, or technical errors. It is a criminal offence under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, which can result in imprisonment, fines, or both.

  1. Get a Cheque Bounce Memo from the Bank: The bank issues a “Cheque Return Memo” that details the grounds for dishonour. This note is required to initiate legal proceedings and must be gathered as the first step.
  2. Issue a Legal Notice to the Drawer: A legal notice must be delivered to the drawer via registered post within 30 days after receipt of the memo. The notice requires payment within 15 days. Failure to pay empowers the cheque bearer to pursue criminal charges. Legal advice is recommended; you can contact Adv. Abdul Mulla at www.asmlegalservices or www.lifeandlaw.in.
  3. Submit a Criminal Complaint: If the drawer does not pay within 15 days, a criminal complaint must be filed in court during the next 30 days. The case is filed with a Metropolitan Court or a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC). Required documents include the return memo, legal notice, and cheque copy. The accused is then summoned under Section 138 of the NI Act.

Provisions for punishment and penal consequences for cheque bounce

  1. Punishment under Section 138, NI Act

Cheque bounce is a criminal crime under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act of 1881. If proven guilty, the accused may face up to two years in prison, a fine equal to twice the value of the cheque, or both.

  1. Civil Case and Compensation

In addition to criminal charges, the cheque holder may launch a civil lawsuit for recovery. To recover the cheque amount plus damages, the court may order that the accused’s property be attached.

  1. Offence under the BNS, 2023 for fraud

If the cheque was issued fraudulently, a criminal fraud case can be initiated under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which could result in severe punishment and financial fines.

Important measures to prevent cheque bounce as per law

1.Maintain a sufficient balance: To avoid having a cheque dishonoured, ensure that your account has enough funds before issuing it.

2.Follow the bank’s rules: Use the proper structure, eliminate errors such as overwriting or imprecise writing, and adhere to any bank policies.

3.Sign properly: Check that the signature on the check exactly matches the one registered with the bank.

4.Keep Transaction Proof: Always retain sufficient paperwork for cheque-related transactions to help you in case of a dispute.

Conclusion

Cheque bounce is a serious financial and legal issue that can be prevented by taking simple safeguards such as maintaining an adequate balance, adhering to correct cheque-writing procedures, and keeping transaction records. If a cheque bounces, prompt legal action is required to protect your interests.

To avoid problems and secure legal protection, it is best to move quickly and obtain competent advice.  In such instances, contacting Adv. Abdul Mulla, the author of this article, at www.asmlegalservices or www.lifeandlaw.in, can be critical.

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