Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 · Chapter IV: Of Negotiation
Section 54: Instrument indorsed in blank
In plain words
Subject to the rules on crossed cheques, an instrument indorsed in blank is payable to the bearer, even if originally payable to order.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
Subject to the provisions hereinafter contained as to crossed cheques, a negotiable instrument indorsed in blank is payable to the bearer thereof even although originally payable to order.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the section 54
No Supreme Court judgment in our database cites this section yet.