• Money recovery from a friend(neighbour)

I gave 35 lacs to my neighbour, he promised return of around 12% per annum( I have all the proof). He also gave me in writing that by when he will return 40 lacs(35 lacs+ 5 lacs interest). I have all the proof in an email which he sent me. but later he refuesed to pay the interest 5 lacs but gave my principal back saying that he had suffered losses in the project blah blah. I do not have any legal contract but have all the emails and whats app messages. so what are my options to get my money back from him. His company name is dataway solutions pvt ltd.
Asked 1 year ago in Civil Law

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10 Answers

Without money lending license, no one is permitted to lend money on interest.

all the emails and whats app messages - are of no means. Have you take a cheque as security. 

Yogendra Singh Rajawat
Advocate, Jaipur
23010 Answers
31 Consultations

Sue the borrower to recover Rs 5 lakhs as agreed by him 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
97495 Answers
7881 Consultations

1. Since you have enough proof of lending the money to neighbour, send a legal notice to him for recovery of the interest amount of Rs. 5 Lakhs. 

2.  Assuming that you have lent money to your neighbour through a Cheque/DD/Bank transfer -NEFT/IMPS alongwith written agreement /acknowledgement from him or for security to the money lent likely that you might have collected a Cheque from him. You can present the Cheque and when it bounces, you can file a case U/s. 138. 

3.  It's not clear in your query as to whether you have the money lending license or not?.  For lending money to your relatives or friends, there's no need to have money lending license.

Shashidhar S. Sastry
Advocate, Bangalore
5457 Answers
330 Consultations

Loan was taken by your friend in his personal capacity or his company had taken the loan? Details required. The email exchanged between you and your friend neighbour is also a contract. If three years time from last payment has not expired then you can initiate necessary proceeding by filing suit for recovery for recovery of interest portion.

Siddharth Srivastava
Advocate, Delhi
1453 Answers

1. Please keep in mind that no one can charge interest at rates more than what has been fixed by the RBI.

 

2. In addition to the above no one can claim the above interest without the permission of RBI to collect interest by lending money commercially.

 

3. This is the reason, we advise the clients to show loan amount adding then interest part in it.

 

4. However, you can file a Recovery Suit claiming the interest part stating that the said interest you would have received from the Bank and you had lent him the amount to help him per5sonally.

 

 

 

Krishna Kishore Ganguly
Advocate, Kolkata
27512 Answers
726 Consultations

- If you having the proof of payment to him even via email , then legally you can recover the amount with interest 

- You can issue a demand legal notice after mentioning that this amount was given as friendly loan 

- If no response, then file a recovery suit before the Court. 

Mohammed Shahzad
Advocate, Delhi
14769 Answers
224 Consultations

Dear client,  

Based on the information you have provided, it seems that you have a strong case against your neighbor for breach of contract. Even though you did not have a formal written agreement, you have evidence in the form of emails and WhatsApp messages that document your agreement with your neighbor, including the promise of a return of around 12% per annum and the repayment date of 40 lacs (35 lacs + 5 lacs interest).

You can try to resolve the matter with your neighbor through negotiation and mediation. You may also want to consider sending a legal notice to your neighbor, stating your claim and demanding repayment of the amount owed to you. If your neighbor does not respond to the legal notice or refuses to pay, you can file a civil lawsuit in court against him and his company Dataway Solutions Pvt Ltd.

It is important to note that the strength of your case will depend on the specific facts and evidence in your case, and it is advisable to consult with a lawyer who can provide you with legal advice on your options and the best course of action.

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
10382 Answers
121 Consultations

The evidence of lending him the principal amount as loan and the evidence of he returning the principal amount would clearly the money (Loan) transaction between you both.

Besides his confirmation about the interest portion, which he agreed to pay, but has not paid along with the principal nor he is ready to pay it on demand will be a cause of action to file the money recovery suit.

However you need to issue a legal notice to him narrating the entire events including the details of his  return of  the principal amount  and demand the interest amount which remains unpaid till this date, after which, on his non compliance, you may sue him for recovery of the amount due to you.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
87695 Answers
2355 Consultations

You can file civil suit for recovery of your money

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
32859 Answers
209 Consultations

Dear Sir,

Emails and WhatsApp messages are weak evidences. You may try to get postdated cheques or approach the Police and try to get cheques through their influence. If cheques are bounced you can recover the same as follows:

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

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 Kishan Retd judge Law Chambers assist in drafting of legal notice as required by Section 138 of N.I. Act.?

    Yes, Kishan Retd judge 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
6193 Answers
492 Consultations

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