law: Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 
  118. Presumptions as to negotiable instruments Until
  
  the contrary is proved, the following presumption shall be made:- 
  (a) of consideration-that every negotiable instrument was made
  
  or drawn for consideration, and that every such instrument, when it has been
  
  accepted, endorsed, negotiated or transferred, was accepted, endorsed,
  
  negotiated or transferred for consideration;
  (b) as to date-that every negotiable instrument bearing a date
  
  was made or drawn on such date;
  (c) as to time of acceptance-that every accepted bill of
  
  exchange was accepted within a reasonable time after its date and before its maturity;
  
  
  (d) as to time of transfer-that every transfer of a negotiable
  
  instrument was made before its maturity;
  (e) as to order of endorsements-that the endorsements appearing
  
  upon a negotiable instrument were made in the order in which they appear thereon;
  
  
  (f) as to stamps-that a lost promissory note, bill of exchange
  
  or cheque was duly stamped;
  (g) that holder is a holder in due course-that the holder of a
  
  negotiable instrument is a holder in due course; provided that, where the
  
  instrument has been contained from its lawful owner, or from any person in
  
  lawful custody thereof, by means of an offence or fraud, or has been obtained
  
  from the maker or acceptor thereof by means of an offence or fraud, or for
  
  unlawful consideration, the burden of proving that the holder is a holder in
  
  due course lies upon him.