In Brief
A drawer issued dishonored cheques. The payee served a first notice by registered post within 15 days of learning of dishonor, but it was returned undelivered. A second reminder notice was later sent. The High Court set aside the conviction, holding the second notice was time-barred. The Supreme Court reversed this, holding that once the first notice is sent within the statutory period to the correct address, service is deemed effected under the General Clauses Act, and a reminder notice does not breach the 15-day limit. The judgment upheld the conviction but allowed the accused to pay compensation instead of undergoing imprisonment.
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