Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
13. "Negotiable instrument"
11[(1 ) A "negotiable instrument" means a promissory
note, bill of exchange or cheque payable either to order or to bearer.
Explanation 1 : A promissory note, bill of exchange or cheque
is payable to order which is expressed to be so payable or which is expressed
to be payable to a particular person, and does not contain words prohibiting
transfer or indicating an intention that it shall not be transferable.
Explanation 2 : A promissory note, bill of exchange or cheque
is payable to bearer which is expressed to be so payable or on which the only
or last endorsement is an endorsement in blank.
Explanation 3 : Where a promissory note, bill of exchange or
cheque, either originally or by endorsement, is expressed to be payable to the
order of a specified person, and not to him or his order, it is nevertheless
payable to him or his order at his option.]
12[(2)] A negotiable instrument may be made payable to two or
more payees jointly, or it may be made payable in the alternative to one of
two, or one or some of several payees.]