धारा 54

Section 54 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, deals with the presentment of a cheque to charge any person other than the drawer. The section states that 'a cheque must, in order to charge any person except the drawer, be presented within a reasonable time after it is drawn.' The section further explains that what constitutes a reasonable time will depend on the circumstances of each case. The section also provides that if the cheque is not presented within a reasonable time, the person to be charged will not be liable to pay the amount. The Supreme Court of India has held that the presentation of a cheque within six months of its date is a reasonable time (State Bank of India v. M. S. Chacko, AIR 1990 SC 1918).