Estoppel against denying original validity of instrument
Section 120 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 deals with estoppel against denying original validity of instrument. No maker of a promissory note, and no drawer of a bill of exchange or cheque, and no acceptor of a bill of exchange for the honour of the drawer shall, in a suit thereon by a holder in due course, be permitted to deny the validity of the instrument as originally made or drawn. The Act came into force on 01 Mar 1882.
No maker of a promissory note, and no drawer of a bill of exchange or cheque, and no acceptor of a bill of exchange for the honour of the drawer shall, in a suit thereon by a holder in due course, be permitted to deny the validity of the instrument as originally made or drawn.
Section 120, The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Act 26 of 1881).
Questions about Section 120
What does Section 120 of the Negotiable Instruments Act deal with?
Section 120 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is headed "Estoppel against denying original validity of instrument". No maker of a promissory note, and no drawer of a bill of exchange or cheque, and no acceptor of a bill of exchange for the honour of the drawer shall, in a suit thereon by a holder in due course, be permitted to deny the validity of the instrument as originally made or drawn.
How do I find court cases under Section 120 of the Negotiable Instruments Act?
In judgments and charge sheets this section is written several ways, and each form finds a different set of orders. These search the full text of every order eCourtsIndia holds, best matches first: NI Act 120, section 120 NI Act, section 120 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. People searching for it also type penal code act cap 120. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 120 of the Negotiable Instruments Act come into force?
Section 120 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, cited as NI Act 120, came into force on 01 Mar 1882, having been enacted on 09 Dec 1881. It is in force as at the date shown on this page.
Other sections of this Act
- 138. Dishonour of cheque for insufficiency, etc., of funds in the account312 words
- 142A. Validation for transfer of pending cases299 words
- 143. Power of Court to try cases summarily297 words
- 143A. Power to direct interim compensation291 words
- 142. Cognizance of offences290 words
- 141. Offences by companies287 words
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Text as in force on 17 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.