Section 78
To whom payment should be made
Chapter 6: Of payment and interest
Subject to the provisions of section 82, clause (c), payment of the amount due on a promissory note, bill of exchange or cheque must, in order to discharge the maker or acceptor, be made to the holder of the instrument.
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.