Key Points: - A minor cannot be personally held liable under civil law for a cheque drawn, indorsed, delivered or negotiated by him; contract with a minor is void. (!) (!) (!) - Section 26 NI Act protects a minor drawing/indorsing/negotiating a negotiable instrument, but such instrument binds all parties except the minor. (!) (!) (!) - For offences under Section 138 NI Act, the essential ingredient is a cheque drawn to discharge a debt or liability, and the instrument must bind the drawer; post-dated cheques and those drawn during minority raise specific issues about liability. (!) (!) (!) - A quondam minor (who becomes major by the time of dishonour) may have different considerations depending on whether the instrument was drawn during minority; the court held that the offence cannot be attracted if the cheque was drawn during minority. (!) (!) - The court quashed the complaints against the minor and held the petitions allowed, with quashing of proceedings. (!) - The liability of minor in cases of necessaries and other sections (e.g., Section 68, Contract Act) is addressed to the extent of reimbursement from the property of the minor, not personal liability. (!) (!)

How to determine whether a cheque drawn by a person during minority can attract an offence under Section 138 NI Act?

What is the effect of post-dated cheques drawn by a minor on criminal liability under Section 138 NI Act?

What are the consequences for prosecutions if a quondam minor draws a cheque during minority and the cheque is dishonoured?