NI Act Section 117: Rules as to compensation
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 · Chapter 12: Of compensation
Also available in: हिंदी
¶The compensation payable in case of dishonour of a promissory note, bill of exchange or cheque, by any party liable to the holder or any indorsee, shall *** be determined by the following rules:--
¶(a) the holder is entitled to the amount due upon the instrument together with the expenses properly incurred in presenting, noting and protesting it;
¶(b) when the person charged resides at a place different from that at which the instrument was payable, the holder is entitled to receive such sum at the current rate of exchange between the two places;
¶(c) an indorser who, being liable, has paid the amount due on the same is entitled to the amount so paid with interest at [eighteen per centum] per annum from the date of payment until tender or realization thereof, together with all expenses caused by the dishonour and payment;
¶(d) when the person charged and such indorser reside at different places, the indorser is entitled to receive such sum at the current rate of exchange between the two places;
¶(e) the party entitled to compensation may draw a bill upon the party liable to compensate him, payable at sight or on demand, for the amount due to him, together with all expenses properly incurred by him. Such bill must be accompanied by the instrument dishonoured and the protest thereof (if any). If such bill is dishonoured, the party dishonouring the same is liable to make compensation thereof in the same manner as in the case of the original bill.
Official reference: India Code, Government of India — official section HTML — source review: 5 October 2026.Recorded edition / snapshot date: 2026-10-05.Banaka reference transcription of the official HTML snapshot; not an official or certified edition. Source wording and amendment brackets are retained; layout and footnote callouts are omitted. The recorded date is the review snapshot, not a separately dated consolidation. Hindi guides are original explanations. Read the source amendment notes and current judicial interpretation alongside the text. The historical schedule and section 2 are repealed.Read the original schedule and amendment notes
This text is for reference, not legal advice. Consult the official source for the authoritative text.