Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881
Q. Define the term ‘Cheque’ and explain its essentials.
Ans: A Cheque is a special type of Bill of Exchange. It is drawn on banker and is required to be made payable on demand.
A
"cheque” is defines as "a bill of exchange drawn on a specified banker and not
expressed to be payable otherwise than on demand.” [Section 6]
‘Cheque’
includes electronic image of a truncated cheque and a cheque in electronic
form. The definition is amended by Amendment Act, 2002, making provision for
electronic submission and clearance of cheque. The cheque is one form of Bill
of Exchange. It is addressed to Banker. It cannot be made payable after some
days. It must be made payable ‘on demand’.
The essentials of a Cheque are :-
1.
Essentials of Bill of Exchange –
As a cheque is a bill of exchange, it must contain the essentials of a bill of
exchange. In addition there are few more essentials as below.
2.
Drawn on a specified banker – The
drawee in case of a cheque is always a specified banker.
3.
Payable on demand – The
cheque is always payable on demand.
4.
No Stamp – A
Cheque does not require a stamp.
5.
Acceptance – No
acceptance is necessary by the draw before the demand for payment.
6. Payable
to bearer – A cheque can be made payable to bearer.
Q. When a banker is
justified in dishonouring the cheque?
Ans:
The banker is justified in dishonouring the customer’s cheques in the following
cases :-
1.
The signature of the drawer on the cheque does not match with the
speciment signature in the records of the Bank.
2.
Funds are not properly applicable to the payment of cheque. For
eg. Funds are subject to lien, or banker is entitled to set-off.
3.
Customer becomes insolvent.
4.
Death, lunacy or insolvency of the customer and the banker has notice
of the same.
5.
Cheque presented beyond a period of 6 months from the date of
issue.
6.
If the banker is not holding sufficient funds of the drawer,
unless the banker has agreed to honour the cheque without sufficient funds.
7.
If the customer countermands payment and communicates the same to
the bank properly.
8.
Holder gives notice to the banker of loss of cheque.
9.
If the cheque is not presented within the usual banking hours.
10. Where the cheque is drawn on another branch office of the same bank where the customer does not have an account.
11. Where a garnishee order has been issued by the Court attaching customer’s balance.