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Cheque dishonourPossibly — unconfirmed

Possibly — unconfirmed

Reported range, not yet confirmed against official text. Do not rely on this — awaiting confirmation.

Statutory range — reported, not yet confirmed

§ 138 — dishonour of cheque for insufficiency, etc., of funds in the accountPossibly — unconfirmed

Imprisonment: 0 (no mandatory prison) – 2 years
Fine: Up to twice the amount of the cheque

0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.

Imprisonment or fine or both.

Note on this entry

The § 138 proviso conditions (presentation within validity, written demand within 30 days of bank-return information, non-payment within 15 days of notice) must all be met before the offence applies.

Source

Statute: Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 § 138
Official source: Indian Kanoon reproduction of the Negotiable Instruments Act (not India Code)
Verification status: India Code could not be read directly; figures corroborated from at least two independent reproductions of the Act text. Re-check against India Code before treating as VERIFIED.
Last verified: 2026-10-19

Not legal advice. This range is the statutory penalty as written in the law — it is not “your sentence.” What is NOT accounted for here: Priors, plea, judicial discretion; civil recovery of the cheque amount. If you face a real charge, consult a licensed lawyer in the relevant jurisdiction.