Presumption on proof of protest
Full Text
Presumption on proof of protest.—In a suit upon an instrument which has been dishonoured, the Court shall, on proof of the protest, presume the fact of dishonour, unless and until such fact is disproved.
Plain English Summary
Obliges the court to presume the fact of dishonour upon production of a valid notarial protest certificate, shifting the burden to disprove dishonour onto the defendant.
Key Legal Elements
- Applies in suits upon a dishonoured negotiable instrument
- Court is statutorily bound (shall presume) to accept the fact of dishonour
- Triggered upon proof of the notarial protest
- Rebuttable only if the fact of dishonour is disproved
Practical Note
Eliminates the evidentiary hurdle of producing bank officers or notaries in court to prove dishonour. In cheque bounce litigation under Section 138, this principle is mirrored by Section 146, where the bank slip or memo bearing official mark creates a statutory presumption of dishonour.
हिंदी पाठ
प्रत्याख्यान के सबूत पर उपधारणा।—अनादृत लिखत पर वाद में, न्यायालय प्रत्याख्यान के साबित होने पर अनादर के तथ्य की उपधारणा करेगा, जब तक कि ऐसा तथ्य नासाबित न कर दिया जाए।