Section 37
Maker, drawer and acceptor principals
Chapter 3: Parties to notes, bills and cheques
The maker of a promissory note or cheque, the drawer of a bill of exchange until acceptance, and the acceptor are, in the absence of a contract to the contrary, respectively liable thereon as principal debtors, and the other parties thereto are liable thereon as sureties for the maker, drawer or acceptor, as the case may be.
The Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Act No. 26 of 1881). From the updated text on India Code, with later amendments. Being checked against the official copy; amendment notes are not shown yet.