A cheque for ₹2 lakh issued by R to P was presented and returned unpaid on 5 June. P received the bank's return memo on 7 June and, on 20 June, sent a notice of dishonour to R demanding payment. Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, the notice is -

Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 creates the offence of dishonour of a cheque where the drawer fails to pay the amount within fifteen days of the receipt of a notice of demand given by the payee or holder in due course in writing. The notice must be given within thirty days of the payee receiving information from the bank about the return of the cheque. P received the return memo on 7 June and issued the notice on 20 June, within the thirty day window, so the notice is valid. The fifteen day period is the time for the drawer to pay after receipt of the notice, not the period for issuing it, and presentation within six months of the cheque's date is the statutory requirement.