What is the limitation period for filing a Cheque Bounce complaint under Section 138 NI Act?

The legal notice must be sent within 30 days of cheque dishonour. The drawer is given 15 days to pay. If unpaid, the criminal complaint must be filed within 30 days from the expiry of the 15-day notice period.

Can delay in filing a suit be condoned under Section 5 Limitation Act?

Section 5 delay condonation applies to appeals and applications. It does NOT apply to original civil suits (Section 3), for which limitation is strict and absolute unless covered by specific statutory exclusions.

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Statutory Limitation & Deadline Calculator

Determine exact statutory limitation periods, appeal windows, and filing deadlines across civil, commercial, criminal, consumer, and cheque bounce disputes in India.

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Section 12 Exclusion: Certified Copy Time (Days) Under Sec 12 Limitation Act, the time requisite for obtaining a copy of the decree/order is excluded.

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Limitation Act 1963

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Quick Statutory Limitation Reference Table

Nature of Legal Proceeding	Statutory Limitation	Relevant Statute / Article	Condonation of Delay (Sec 5)
Cheque Bounce Legal Notice	30 Days from Cheque Dishonour Memo	Section 138(b) NI Act 1881	Strict — No Extension
Cheque Bounce Complaint	30 Days from Expiry of 15-Day Notice	Section 142(1)(b) NI Act 1881	Condonable on Sufficient Cause
Arbitration Challenge (Sec 34)	3 Months (90 Days) from Award Receipt	Section 34(3) Arbitration Act 1996	Strict 30-Day Cap Only
Money Recovery / Commercial Debt	3 Years from Date Amount Becomes Due	Article 14 & 15 Limitation Act 1963	Sec 5 Inapplicable to Original Suits
Specific Performance of Contract	3 Years from Date Fixed for Performance	Article 54 Limitation Act 1963	Strict 3-Year Bar
Consumer Complaint (CPA 2019)	2 Years from Date of Cause of Action	Section 69 Consumer Protection Act 2019	Condonable on Reasonable Cause
MACT Motor Accident Claim	6 Months from Date of Road Accident	Section 166(3) Motor Vehicles Act 2019	Strict 6-Month Mandate
Civil First Appeal to District Court	30 Days from Date of Decree/Judgment	Article 116(b) Limitation Act 1963	Condonable under Section 5
Civil Appeal to High Court	90 Days from Date of Decree/Order	Article 116(a) Limitation Act 1963	Condonable under Section 5
Execution of Civil Decree	12 Years from Date Decree Becomes Enforceable	Article 136 Limitation Act 1963	Strict 12-Year Bar

Statutory Limitation Periods & Case Deadlines

Filing timelines are computed under the Schedule to the Limitation Act 1963, Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, Section 34 of the Arbitration & Conciliation Act 1996, and the Commercial Courts Act 2015. Statutory exclusions for certified copy preparation (Section 12) and court vacation extensions (Section 4) apply under law.

Statutory Disclaimer: Statutory deadlines are automated timeline projections under the Limitation Act 1963. Final computation of limitation periods is subject to judicial computation of court vacations, delay condonation under Section 5, and certified copy procurement exclusions.

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