ISSUANCE OF CHEQUE
(For legally enforceable debt)
│
▼
PRESENTATION OF CHEQUE
(Within validity – 3 months)
│
▼
CHEQUE DISHONOURED BY BANK
(Insufficient funds / exceeds arrangement /
account closed / payment stopped)
│
▼
INFORMATION OF DISHONOUR RECEIVED
│
▼
LEGAL DEMAND NOTICE ISSUED
(Within 30 days – S.138(b))
│
▼
15 DAYS’ TIME TO DRAWER TO PAY
(S.138(c))
│
┌──────────────┴──────────────┐
│ │
▼ ▼
PAYMENT MADE PAYMENT NOT MADE
(Within 15 days) │
│ ▼
│ CAUSE OF ACTION ARISES
│ (After 15 days expire)
│ │
│ ▼
│ COMPLAINT FILED
│ (Within 30 days – S.142)
│ │
│ ▼
│ COGNIZANCE BY MAGISTRATE
│ │
│ ▼
│ SUMMARY TRIAL (S.143)
│ │
│ ▼
│ EVIDENCE BY AFFIDAVIT (S.145)
│ │
│ ▼
│ INTERIM COMPENSATION (S.143A)
│ │
│ ▼
│ JUDGMENT
│ (Conviction / Acquittal)
│ │
│ ▼
│ COMPENSATION / SENTENCE
│ (Imprisonment up to 2 years
│ or fine up to 2× cheque amount)
│
▼
NO OFFENCE UNDER NI ACT
(Proceedings end)
⚖️ KEY NI ACT OFFENCE-RELATED PROVISIONS (QUICK RECALL)
Section Nature
S.138 Dishonour of cheque
S.139 Presumption of debt
S.141 Offence by company
S.142 Cognizance & limitation
S.143 Summary trial
S.143A Interim compensation
S.145 Evidence by affidavit
S.147 Compounding of offence
S.148 Deposit during appeal
🧠 IMPORTANT EXAM TRAPS (Remember)
✔️ Cheque must be for legally enforceable debt
❌ Gift / donation → No offence
✔️ “Stop payment” → Still offence
✔️ Signature admitted → Presumption applies
✔️ Notice refused → Deemed service