My previous employer, a software company, took a security deposit of ₹1 lakh from me. They returned ₹82,500 in installments over a year, but the remaining ₹17,500 came as a cheque that bounced. I contacted the company but haven’t received a response. I have a bank memo confirming the bounced cheque. Can I take this issue to consumer court? If so, how long would it take to resolve? Should I file the case against the person who signed the cheque or the company directors? What are the steps I need to take?

Yes, you can file a complaint in the consumer court for the remaining security deposit amount. The case can take several months to years depending on the court’s workload and the complexity of the case. You can file the case against the company as a legal entity. Start by sending a legal notice to the company demanding payment within a specified time. If they fail to respond, file a complaint in the consumer court along with relevant documents like the bank memo, security deposit agreement, and the bounced cheque.