Lok Sabha passes Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015

Lok Sabha passes Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015

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Lok Sabha on 13 May 2015 passed The Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill, 2015 by a voice vote.
The Bills amends the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 in order to make cheque-bounce filing of cases more convenient for check payees (person who receives the cheque).


About Bill
1. The bill adds provision to specify the territorial jurisdiction of the courts in cases related to bouncing of cheques which was not present in the parent Act.
2. It says that cases in this regard need to be filed only in a court in whose jurisdiction the bank branch of the payee lies.
3. It also adds provision related to more than one case is filed against the same person before different courts for bouncing of cheques. In this matter, the case will be transferred to the court that has appropriate jurisdiction.
4. The bill also amends the definition of cheque. Now it defines it as cheque in the electronic form which is signed in a secure system with a digital signature or using electronic system and drawn in electronic medium using any computer resource.

About Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
1. The Act defines bills of exchange, promissory notes, cheques and creates penalties for issues such as bouncing of cheques.
2. It also specifies circumstances under which complaints for cheque bouncing can be filed.