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Cheque bounce and recovery courts in Mumbai

Mumbai is India’s largest B2B market and its dues are the most varied: garment exporters in Dharavi and Andheri, chemical traders in Masjid Bunder, agencies and consultants billing corporates in BKC and Lower Parel. Cheque-based payments are still common in trading, so Section 138 is a frequent route, and arbitration clauses in corporate contracts often decide where a dispute is heard.

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Short answer

In Mumbai: Metropolitan Magistrate courts (Esplanade, Mazgaon, Andheri, Bandra, Kurla and others) for Section 138 complaints; City Civil Court and the Bombay High Court Commercial Division for high-value recovery suits. A Section 138 complaint is filed where the payee’s bank branch is located; the notice must go out within 30 days of the return memo, and the complaint within one month after the 15-day payment window.

Choosing the route in Mumbai

SituationRouteForum
Cheque bouncedSection 138 complaintMetropolitan Magistrate courts (Esplanade, Mazgaon, Andheri, Bandra, Kurla and others) for Section 138 complaints
Udyam-registered supplier, payment over 45 days lateMSME SamadhaanMaharashtra Micro and Small Enterprises Facilitation Councils (regional councils for Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Aurangabad and Amravati regions)
Invoice or contract dues with no genuine defenceSummary suit (Order XXXVII CPC) City Civil Court and the Bombay High Court Commercial Division for high-value recovery suits.
Contract with arbitration clauseArbitrationTribunal; enforcement through the civil court

Main industries and typical dues in Mumbai

textiles and garments, finance and services, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, media and advertising, import and export trading. See the Mumbai payment recovery hub for the routes that work for each.

How FundRaksha handles filing

Your dedicated advocate sends the notice within 24 hours, negotiates, and files in the Mumbai courts or before the Council if needed, appearing at hearings so you rarely have to. Court fees are at actuals and disclosed before filing; our fee is 30% only on recovery, after a free consultation.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-08. Information for Indian businesses; not legal advice.

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मुफ़्त सलाह, कोई शुल्क नहीं

Talk to a FundRaksha recovery expert for free. In one call we assess your unpaid invoices and tell you honestly what can be recovered, how, and in roughly how long. No fee for the call, no obligation, and no upfront cost if you go ahead: our fee is a percentage of what we actually recover.

  • A review of your invoices, purchase orders, delivery proof and the buyer’s replies
  • An honest assessment of recovery chances and the right route: reminders, legal notice, MSME Samadhaan, Section 138 or a civil suit
  • A realistic timeline and the exact cost: nothing upfront, a success fee only on recovery
  • A dedicated advocate assigned within 24 hours if you decide to proceed
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Keep these ready
  • The unpaid invoice(s) and payment terms
  • Purchase order, delivery challan, e-way bill or proof of service
  • Messages, emails or letters about the payment
  • For a bounced cheque: the cheque and the bank return memo

No recovery, no fee. Court fees, if any, are borne by the client and told upfront.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Rarely. Your advocate appears; you may be needed once to record evidence in a Section 138 case, which can often be done by affidavit.

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This page is general information for Indian businesses, not legal advice for your specific case. Laws, rates and procedures change; speak to an advocate before acting. FundRaksha LegalTech Pvt Ltd is a technology company; legal work is carried out by enrolled advocates.