My friend and I bought gold from a vendor and paid by cheque, signing the bill. The person who was supposed to give us the gold has cheated us, and our money is stuck. The vendor has already deposited the cheque, which bounced. I want to pay the vendor but need a bit more time. However, they’re not willing to listen and are threatening legal action under sections 406 and 138. What should I do? What can the police do in this situation?

In this situation, you should approach the vendor and request a reasonable extension to settle the payment. You can explain the circumstances and propose a payment plan. The police can investigate the bounced cheque under Section 138, but they cannot force the vendor to extend the payment deadline. The vendor may have grounds for action under Section 406 for breach of trust if you fail to deliver the gold, but this is dependent on the agreement’s terms.