Cheque Bounce Notice (s.138)
Mandatory demand notice under Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 s.138 — with BD timelines and service proof cues.
How to use this template
1) Diary the date you received the bank return memo/information. 2) Send this notice within 30 days of that date. 3) Fill cheque number, date, amount, bank, and reason for dishonour accurately. 4) Serve by personal delivery, OR registered post with acknowledgement due, OR publication in a widely circulated Bangla national daily (s.138(1A)). 5) Keep proof of service (postal receipt/AD slip)—courts treat this as mandatory. 6) Wait 30 days after the drawer receives the notice; if unpaid, confirm complaint limitation with an advocate.
Legal notes (read before signing)
Sample only, not legal advice. Per the official NI Act text, s.138 generally requires: (a) presentment within six months of drawing or validity; (b) written notice within thirty days of receiving bank information of return unpaid; (c) drawer fails to pay within thirty days of receiving that notice. Some websites wrongly cite 15 days—that is not the Bangladesh statutory wording. Confirm complaint limitation (often discussed as one month after the payment window) with an advocate. High Court has stressed proof of service is mandatory.
Authority reference: Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 s.138 & s.138(1A) (bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd). Reviewer: Pending lawyer panel review. Next review: 2026-10-01.
Interactive draft
Fill in the blanks
Complete the fields, then download or print a PDF-ready copy.
Payee / sender
Person in whose favour the cheque was issued.
Cheque drawer
Person whose account the cheque was drawn on.
Cheque & dishonour
Service & demand
In the print dialog, choose “Save as PDF” (or your printer). Destination → Save as PDF.
LEGAL NOTICE Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 Reference: [reference no] Date: [notice date] Mode of service: [mode of service] To: [drawer full name] [drawer address] Mobile: [drawer mobile] From (Payee / Holder): [payee full name] [payee address] Mobile: [payee mobile] Subject: Dishonour of cheque — demand for payment under section 138 Dear Sir/Madam, 1. You issued the following cheque, claimed to be towards discharge of a legally enforceable debt/liability: - Cheque No.: [cheque number] - Cheque date: [cheque date] - Amount: BDT [cheque amount] ([amount in words]) - Bank & branch: [bank and branch] - Account (optional): [account number (optional)] - Related transaction: [brief debt/liability description] 2. The cheque was presented to the bank on [presentment date] and was returned unpaid on [return memo date]. Reason for dishonour (as per memo): [reason for dishonour]. 3. Pursuant to section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, you are hereby demanded to pay the full cheque amount of BDT [amount demanded] to the Payee within thirty (30) days of receipt of this written notice. 4. If you fail to pay within the said period, the Payee reserves the right to initiate proceedings under section 138 before the competent court and to pursue other remedies available in law. 5. Nothing in this notice waives any civil or criminal rights. All rights are reserved. Signature: ____________________ Name: [payee full name] Date: [notice date] (Optional) Advocate signature/verification: ____________________ Annexures (suggested): copy of cheque, bank return memo, proof of service.
What each clause means
Parties & reference
Payee and drawer identity and notice reference.
Cheque particulars
Number, date, amount, bank — match the memo.
Presentment & dishonour
When presented and why returned unpaid.
Demand (30 days)
Demand to pay within 30 days of receiving this notice.
s.138 caution
Non-payment may lead to criminal proceedings.
Service & proof
Statutory service modes and keeping proof.
Preview
LEGAL NOTICE Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 Reference: [reference no] Date: [notice date] Mode of service: [mode of service] To: [drawer full name] [drawer address] Mobile: [drawer mobile] From (Payee / Holder): [payee full name] [payee address] Mobile: [payee mobile] Subject: Dishonour of cheque — demand for payment under section 138 Dear Sir/Madam, 1. You issued the following cheque, claimed to be towards discharge of a legally enforceable debt/liability: - Cheque No.: [cheque number] - Cheque date: [cheque date] - Amount: BDT [cheque amount] ([amount in words]) - Bank & branch: [bank and branch] - Account (optional): [account number (optional)] - Related transaction: [brief debt/liability description] 2. The cheque was presented to the bank on [presentment date] and was returned unpaid on [return memo date]. Reason for dishonour (as per memo): [reason for dishonour]. 3. Pursuant to section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, you are hereby demanded to pay the full cheque amount of BDT [amount demanded] to the Payee within thirty (30) days of receipt of this written notice. 4. If you fail to pay within the said period, the Payee reserves the right to initiate proceedings under section 138 before the competent court and to pursue other remedies available in law. 5. Nothing in this notice waives any civil or criminal rights. All rights are reserved. Signature: ____________________ Name: [payee full name] Date: [notice date] (Optional) Advocate signature/verification: ____________________ Annexures (suggested): copy of cheque, bank return memo, proof of service.
AdalotBD provides legal information, not legal advice, and is not a law firm. AI answers may be wrong. For your specific situation, consult a qualified advocate in Bangladesh. Legal information, not advice