Recovery toolkit — pick the right weapon

India offers multiple parallel recovery routes, each suited to a different fact pattern: (i) Section 138 NI Act for bounced cheques; (ii) Order XXXVII CPC summary suit for negotiable instruments and written acknowledgments of debt; (iii) MSMED reference for registered MSME suppliers; (iv) Arbitration where a clause exists; (v) IBC Section 9 for default above ₹1 crore against corporate debtors; (vi) SARFAESI / DRT for banks and NBFCs; (vii) ordinary civil suit as last resort.

Summary suit under Order XXXVII CPC

A summary suit can be filed where the claim is on (i) negotiable instruments, (ii) written contracts, or (iii) enactments imposing liquidated demand. The defendant cannot file written statement as of right — leave to defend under Rule 3 must be obtained by showing triable issues. Where leave is refused, decree is passed within 6–9 months. Where conditional leave is granted (typically on deposit of part of claim), it forces settlement.

Cheque-based recovery combinations

For every bounced cheque, we file (a) Section 138 NI Act criminal complaint, (b) parallel summary suit under Order XXXVII for civil decree, (c) Section 143-A NI Act application for interim compensation up to 20% of cheque amount within 60 days. The combined civil + criminal pressure produces settlement in 60–80% of cases before evidence stage.

SARFAESI and DRT for banks

For secured creditors (banks, NBFCs), the SARFAESI Act, 2002 allows non-judicial enforcement of mortgaged property without going to court. Notice under Section 13(2) gives 60 days; possession under Section 13(4) follows. The borrower’s remedy is the Debts Recovery Tribunal (DRT) under Section 17. Unsecured / above-₹20-lakh dues go to DRT under the RDDB&FI Act, 1993. Appeals lie to DRAT.

Practical pre-litigation steps

A well-drafted legal notice mentioning the precise remedy intended (Section 138 / summary suit / IBC) settles 40–50% of cases without filing. Documentation should be airtight: ledger, invoices, GSTR-1 acceptance, e-way bill, delivery proof, email confirmation, WhatsApp chats, and any acknowledgment under Section 18 of the Limitation Act to keep the clock fresh.