Dishonour by non-acceptance
Section 91 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 deals with dishonour by non-acceptance. A bill of exchange is said to be dishonoured by non-acceptance when the drawee, or one of several drawees not being partners, makes default in acceptance upon being duly required to accept the bill, or where presentment is excused and the bill is not accepted. The Act came into force on 01 Mar 1882.
A bill of exchange is said to be dishonoured by non-acceptance when the drawee, or one of several drawees not being partners, makes default in acceptance upon being duly required to accept the bill, or where presentment is excused and the bill is not accepted.
Where the drawee is incompetent to contract, or the acceptance is qualified the bill may be treated as dishonoured.
Section 91, The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Act 26 of 1881).
Questions about Section 91
What does Section 91 of the Negotiable Instruments Act deal with?
Section 91 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is headed "Dishonour by non-acceptance". A bill of exchange is said to be dishonoured by non-acceptance when the drawee, or one of several drawees not being partners, makes default in acceptance upon being duly required to accept the bill, or where presentment is excused and the bill is not accepted.
How do I find court cases under Section 91 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 91, section 91 NI Act, section 91 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. People searching for it also type what is an act 91 notice. Each opens the full list of orders on eCourtsIndia, where it can be narrowed by court, year and outcome.
When did Section 91 of the Negotiable Instruments Act come into force?
Section 91 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, cited as NI Act 91, 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 15 Oct 2026. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.