DNA Legal Tips: Ironing the road blocks under the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 The âdefaulterâ, can be held for their default in a criminal complaint filed by you under Section 138 of the Act. Share Updated: Jun 28, 2021, 10:53 AM IST Imagine you are given a cheque by someone in your name for money they owed you or for services rendered by you for them. You go to the bank, deposit the cheque and anticipate a lavish weekend when suddenly you get a notification from your bank that the cheque you deposited was not cleared, i.e.,was “dishonoured”. Your rightful money did not reach your account and your plans for the weekend go out the window. What do you do?