I wrote date on cheque as 3-31-2009, the bank returned it saying cheque is out of date. Is the bank justified?

How to write a date on the cheque according to the provisions of the negociable instruments act. If I write date 31-3-2009 as 3-31-2009 whether according to negociable instruments this is permissible or not. Whether the bank can return the cheque unpaid with the objection that the cheque is out of date or not.