• Cheque fraud

My earlier landloard had Issued me a cheque for returning the rental advance but he has been asking to postpone the cheque deposit for more than a month now. Wanted a legal advice on how I can put some legal pressure on them. I had vacated the premise in Aug’18 but he had issued me a cheque date April’19 as they were going through a financial crisis. Now they are not responding. Need assistance, 

Pls reach me @ [deleted].

Regards,
Hemesh Bhaskar
Asked 5 years ago in Criminal Law
Religion: Hindu

4 answers received in 10 minutes.

Lawyers are available now to answer your questions.

18 Answers

Submit the cheque, if it get bounced, issue notice and also file cheating complaint agasint him. To avoid, cases, he will make the payment. with interest.

Yogendra Singh Rajawat
Advocate, Jaipur
22991 Answers
31 Consultations

Hello, 

Present the cheque in the bank and as and when the same is dishonored send a legal notice to the landlord and probably after that they will make the payment. Just make sure that the legal notice is sent within 30 days from the date when the cheque gets dishonored. 

 

Regards 

Anilesh Tewari
Advocate, New Delhi
18090 Answers
377 Consultations

Can you tell me the date of the cheque? If date is written then its validity is for 6 months. If you want to pressurise him i suggest you to send legal notice for payment. 

Jamal Sait
Advocate, Bangalore
168 Answers
2 Consultations

1. You may wait for sometime more but it must not exceed the time of 3 months from the date on which the cheque was drawn as after that the cheque becomes stale.

2. So after few days you just deposit it for honour and if it is dishonoured then you can file criminal case under section 138 NI Act along with charge of cheating.

3. Seeing the conduct of the landlord he is no mood of returning your moneya nd hence you msut to wait and place the cheque for encashment. 

 

Devajyoti Barman
Advocate, Kolkata
23219 Answers
514 Consultations

  1. You must immediately serve a legal notice upon him, intimating him to return​your deposit by issuing a fresh cheque or any other mode of payment agreeable to you, within a period of one month from the date of service of legal notice. 
  2. You will be returning the old cheque along with the legal notice. 
  3. If payment isn't made within the stipulated time, you will sue him. 

I'm prepared to serve the legal notice as your advocate and also sue him. . 

Second alternative will be to just deposit the cheque he has already issued and then file cheque boouncing case. However, I won't suggest this alternative in your case, as he is already informing you not to deposit the cheque and he can use this as defence in cheque bounce case

Netra Mohanchandra Pant
Advocate, Navi Mumbai
1570 Answers
5 Consultations

You can bounce that cheque and send them a legal notice.  Validity of cheque is only 3 months from date of cheque

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
32479 Answers
200 Consultations

Deposit the cheque 

 

2) if it is dishonoured file complaint under section 138 NI of no payment 

t is made inspite of issue of legal notice of dishonour 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
96921 Answers
7820 Consultations

Present the cheque for encashment. If it is dishonoured, you'll have to issue legal notice and if he still doesn't pay up, then file complaint under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act.

Siddharth Jain
Advocate, New Delhi
6375 Answers
102 Consultations

Deposit the cheque and if dishonoured file a cheating case.

Regards 

G.Rajaganapathy 

Rajaganapathy Ganesan
Advocate, Chennai
2190 Answers
8 Consultations

Put the cheque in bank for clearance if the cheque bounces issue him notice under 138 NI act for the amount if on notice he fails to pay you can file a complaint under negotiable instrument act.

Also you can file a case of cheating and breach of trust. 

Shubham Jhajharia
Advocate, Ahmedabad
25514 Answers
179 Consultations

Dear Sir,

Please see that it is presented before expiry of validity period and get it bounced or get cash otherwise you may not get money it. Please the following FAQs.

==================================================================================

Cheque bounce FAQs Negotiable Instruments Act

1A. Amended Cheque Bounce Provisions- 143A & 148…what is it?

Ans:  Section 143A- It empowers the Court to order the drawer of the cheque to pay Interim Compensation  - 20% - Without depositing this amount the accused cannot defend the case.

Section 148 – It empowers the Appellate Court to order payment pending the appeal against conviction

The Appellate Court may order the appellant to deposit an amount which shall be a minimum of 20% of the fine or compensation awarded by the trial Court.

This amount shall be in addition to the amount already paid by the appellant under Section 143A.

It received the assent of the President and was notified in the Official Gazette on 02.08.2018

  1. In which court do I need to file the complaint case under Section 138 N.I. Act in case drawer did not pay after receiving notice? 

    A complaint case under Section 138 N.I. Act can be filed in any competent court in whose jurisdiction any of the following acts have occurred:
    a) Place of drawing of the cheque,
    b) Address of bank where cheque was presented (holders bank address),
    c) Address of bank where cheque is payable (drawers bank address)
    d) Place from where notice was received by drawer of cheque

    a. It is possible that each of these four acts could have occurred at different localities. The complainant can choose any one the above places to determine jurisdiction of court where they wish to file complaint.

    2. What can I do if it has been more than 30 days since I received information of dishonour of cheque?

    If the cheque is still valid i.e. 3 months (currently) have not passed from the date of its issue, you can represent the cheque again to your banker as there is no restriction regarding the number of times a cheque can be presented and that every subsequent representation and dishonour gives rise to fresh cause of action for filing complaint. It may be noted that once a notice for payment is given then the holder must file a complaint under Section 138 N.I. Act within 30 days from expiry of notice period as a fresh cause of action will not arise if the cheque is presented again and it is dishonoured and failure to file complaint will lead to loss of remedy available under Section 138 N.I. Act.

    3. How long after notice has been served can I file a case against the drawer?

    After giving notice you need to file a complaint case against drawer under Section 138 N.I. Act within 30 days from the expiry of notice period i.e. 15 days. In other words you need to file complaint case against drawer within 45 days (15+30) from the date of issue of notice. Failure to do so will lead to loss of remedy under Section 138 N.I. Act; however, you can file a summary suit for recovery of money and initiate criminal proceedings under Section 420 I.P.C. within 3 years from date of issue of cheque.

    4. What can I do if I do not have the drawer's address?
    You need the address of the drawer of cheque to issue notice as contemplated under provisions of N.I. Act; also the address is necessary if you wish to avail other legal remedies available to you. You can send the notice to the last known address. In case the address of the drawer has changed and the drawer has not left a forwarding address and the notice is returned with the noting that addressee is not available at the address or addressee has left without leaving a forwarding address then you need to file a complaint case after 15 days (notice period) of receipt of such information or returned notice and within 30 days from expiry of notice period. Failure to do so will lead to loss of remedy under Section 138 N.I. Act; however, you can file a summary suit for recovery of money and initiate criminal proceedings under Section 420 I.P.C. within 3 years from date of issue of cheque

    5. What should I do if the notice was returned and could not be served to the drawer?

    When a notice is returned to the sender as unclaimed or with the noting that addressee is not available at the address or addressee has left without leaving a forwarding address then the date of receipt of such information or returned notice would be the commencing date for the notice period of 15 days. Complaint case under Section 138 N.I. Act must be filed within 30 days from expiry of notice period. Such reckoning would be without prejudice to the right of the drawer of the cheque to show that he had no knowledge that the notice was brought to his address or previous address.

    6. Can Mohan Law Chambers assist in drafting of legal notice as required by Section 138 of N.I. Act.?

    Yes, Mohan law Chambers offers assistance in drafting of legal notice as required by Section 138 of N.I. Act.

    7. How long after receiving information of dishonour of cheque do I have to serve notice to the drawer?

    You need to serve a legal notice to drawer of cheque demanding payment of cheque amount within 30 days of the receipt of information from your banker regarding dishonour of cheque under Section 138 N.I. Act.

    8. What if the cheque was given for a reason other than to discharge a legally enforceable debt or other liability?

    In cases where cheque was given for a reason other than to discharge a legally enforceable debt or other liability, the provisions of Section 138 N.I. Act are not applicable e.g. Cheque given as Gift, in charity, donation etc.

    9. Can a cheque issued in security attract offence under Section 138 N.I. Act?

    With respect to the dishonour of cheques given as security, legal position is not very clear. It is subject to presumption and proof thereof that may be given by either party in support of their case. High Court of Delhi in the case of M/s Datt Enterprises ltd. vs. V.K.Dua held that the security cheque does not attract the provisions of Section 138 N.I. Act., if cheques were given as a security cheque as per past practice and pending reconciliation of accounts and not towards discharge of any liability.

    10. What is a legally enforceable debt or other liability?

    Legally enforceable debt or other liability should be such which is contracted in accordance with law and which is not opposed to public policy viz., wagering contracts, debt obtained for running brothel or gambling house etc.

    11. What is Section 138 N.I. Act and why is remedy available under it preferable to remedy available under other laws?

    a. Section 138 N.I. Act was made to provide an additional criminal remedy over and above the civil remedies available; to provide a speedy and effective remedy to holder of dishonoured cheque.
    b. Summary suit for recovery of money takes time (approximately 3 to 5 years) and criminal proceedings under Section 420 I.P.C. does not provide any provision for recovery of money and is meant only for prosecution of the drawer of the cheque who entertains dishonest intention to cheat. 

    12. What is a summary suit for recovery of money?

 
Summary suit is a civil legal proceeding initiated for recovery of money due under any written agreement, cheque etc. These proceedings are different from normal recovery suit, as here the liability to prove that petitioner is not liable to recover any amount is on defendant for which he needs to obtain leave to defend from the court.

13. What is the validity of the cheque in day to day business?

The current validity of cheques is 6 months. However, please note that from April 1, 2012. The validity will change to three months as per recent directive of RBI (under Sec. 35A, Banking Regulation Act, 1949)

14. What can I do if a cheque given to me has been dishonoured?

a. The holder of a cheque that has been dishonoured can seek remedy in the following manner:
i) Action under Section 138 Negotiable Instruments Act (N.I. Act): Give notice under within 30 days of receipt of information of dishonour from the bank. In case of non- payment by the drawer within the notice period of 15 days, then the holder must institute a complaint case for prosecuting drawer within 30 days of expiry of notice period.

ii) Civil Action as Summary Suit: Issue notice within 3 years from issue date of cheque and institute a summary suit for recovery of cheque amount along with interest and legal expenses. The notice can also be used while filing summary suit for recovery of money.

iii) Criminal Action: Initiate criminal proceedings by filing complaint under Section 420 Indian Penal Code (I.P.C.) within 3 years from issue date of cheque. Please note that there is no provision for recovery of money under Section 420 I.P.C. and this section is meant only for prosecution of the drawer of the cheque when dishonest intent to cheat in inferred.

15. What documents / evidences do I need at the time of filing complaint case under Section 138 N.I. Act?

You will need at the minimum, the following:
a) Proof of service of notice - receipt of postal department / courier
b) Copy of notice
c) Cheque in original

16. What can I do if I do not file a complaint within 30 days from expiry of notice period?
If you have not filed a complaint case within 30 days after expiry of notice period, you can file a summary suit for recovery of money and initiate criminal proceedings under Section 420 I.P.C. within 3 years from the date of issue of cheque.

17. What can I do if it has been more than 30 days since I received information of dishonour of cheque and 6 months has passed from the date of issue of cheque?

a. Other remedies are also available to recover the cheque amount. You can file a summary suit for recovery of money and initiate criminal proceedings under Section 420 I.P.C. within 3 years from date of issue of cheque. In case the cheque was never presented during its validity period then a summary suit is the only available remedy for recovery of money. 

(Notice can be given to drawer up to 3 years from date of issue of cheque for instituting a summary suit for recovery of money. Criminal proceedings for prosecution of drawer can also be instituted within 3 years from date of issue of cheque under Section 420 I.P.C.)

18. The drawer is asking me to settle the claim at a reduced value. What should I do?

Its up to you to settle the claim at a reduced value as the same will save your precious time, as well as legal hassle. Now-a-days courts are also encouraging amicable settlement between the parties. However, if you settle the dishonoured cheque amount at a reduced value, you will lose all remedies available under law.

19. What remedy do I have if the drawer delays in settling after conviction?

In a recent 2010 judgement, Supreme Court has laid strict rules to deal with such delaying tactics. Delay in settling cheques bounced will cost up to 20% of the cheque amount post-conviction. This is detailed as: 10% at District Court level; 15% at the High Court level; and up to 20% at the Supreme Court level. For e.g., Defaulter going for settlement will have to pay 10% of the cheque amount to avoid going to the jail.

20. Can I recover interest and legal expenses from the drawer of the dishonoured cheque?

Yes, you can recover interest and legal expenses from the drawer of the dishonoured cheque in a summary suit for recovery of money, but not in the proceedings initiated under Section 138 N.I. Act. However, under Section 138 N.I. Act the award maybe higher than the cheque amount.

21. What should I do if the drawer does not make payment upon receipt of notice?
You can adopt either or any of the remedies available to you:

a) Can file a criminal complaint against drawer of cheque under Section 138 of N.I. Act.

b) Can file a summary suit for recovery of money, interest and legal expenses.

c) Can file a criminal complaint against drawer of cheque under Section 420 of I.P.C. Please note that there is no provision for recovery of money under Section 420 I.P.C. and this section is meant only for prosecution of the drawer of the cheque.

In case a person has filed suit for recovery, then he is not precluded from filing a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code. The pendency of criminal matters would not be an impediment to proceeding with the civil suits.

 

Kishan Dutt Kalaskar
Advocate, Bangalore
6179 Answers
490 Consultations

Give them a full and final warning, that you will wait for one last time for the cheque to get cleared when presented for encashment at the desired time.

If you do not hear back from the, get the cheque bounced and thereafter follow the route prescribed under sec. 138 negotiable instruments act. 

Vibhanshu Srivastava
Advocate, Lucknow
9659 Answers
307 Consultations

- Present the said cheque within 3 months period from the date written on the cheque.

- If, not cleared i.e bounced, then you should send a legal / demand notice to him for the payment of cheque amount , within the period of one month from the date of bounced/dishonoured.

- Further, if within 15 to 17 days of time from the date of sending the said legal notice , the landlod not paid amount to you , then you will have to file a criminal case unde section 138 of N.I.Act.

- Sure, you will get the amount .

- Possibility , you will get your amount after issuing your demand notice. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
14505 Answers
221 Consultations

Under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, you have a right to file a suit against the person for the bounced cheque and recover the amount. Firstly, you can send a notice under Section 138 for Dishonour of Cheque through a lawyer, but it should be sent within the limitation period.

Mohammed Mujeeb
Advocate, Hyderabad
19306 Answers
32 Consultations

Dear Hemesh

Immediately deposit the cheque for encasement and if cheque got bounced than issue a legal notice to him and if after receipt of legal notice he is not make the payment within 15 days than file a criminal case against him but if the cheque amount is less then 20k than it will be better to wait for some days.

 

Feel Free to Call

Nadeem Qureshi
Advocate, New Delhi
6307 Answers
302 Consultations

If the landlord is not responding to yor calls, you may go head with the cheque and present the same to your bank account, get it bounced and issue him a legal demand notice.

Let him give a reply about it, if he is not complying with the demand made then you may proceed with the cheque bounce case against him

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
87122 Answers
2338 Consultations

Dear client 

If you want to put pressure in the land lord then you should present the cheque in your bank account. If the cheque got cleared an you receive the amount then it will be good if not then call them regarding cheque status and if response is negative them send them a notice under Negotiable instruments act through some lawyer they will definitely feel the pressure for clearing the cheque.

Mohit Kapoor
Advocate, Rohtak
10687 Answers
7 Consultations

  1. As per the information mentioned in the present query, makes it clear that the landlord has been requesting to postponed the deposition of cheque due to some financial incapability.
  2. As I would like to advice you to wait for 15 days more and serve them a legal notice.
  3. If they do not reply then you should deposit the cheque and if it gets bounce then file 138 case before the court of law.
  4. I am suggesting this for a reason that there might be a genuine reason for not responding to you.

Sanjay Baniwal
Advocate, South Delhi
5474 Answers
13 Consultations

Ask a Lawyer

Get legal answers from lawyers in 1 hour. It's quick, easy, and anonymous!
  Ask a lawyer