My friend owes me ₹2.4 lakhs and gave me a cheque. Unfortunately, it bounced three days ago. What are the legal steps I can take? I’m worried about the timeline and what defenses my friend might use. Can you advise me on how to proceed with this cheque bounce issue?

You can file a legal complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act within 30 days of the cheque bouncing. This allows you to recover the money with interest and compensation. Your friend may try to argue that the cheque was issued for a different purpose or that they lacked sufficient funds due to unforeseen circumstances. You should seek legal advice to ensure you have strong evidence and proceed correctly within the timeline.