Cheque bounce and fraud done how to get money back

Respected sir, I had given 12 lakh rupees to a person for a deal of purchasing his house. Now he is not selling me his house nor he is giving me the money back. But he had given me the cheques signed by him and amount also filled by him of amount 12 lakhs completely. Now the cheques are dishonoured from the bank with memo stating "Insufficient funds" in his account. Important thing is that I do not have any written agreement or statement that there was a deal between us regarding purchasing his house. Can I file a case under Negotiable Instruments act 1881, under section 138 against him? Another important thing, can this transaction be said as a legal liability or debt because I had not given him this money as a gift as stated in the NI act 1881, sec 138. He is claiming that he had taken this money from me on 10% interest which is absolutely wrong. Out of 12 lakh, 7,30,000 transfered through bank in his account and 7,70,000 cash paid Are there any chances for me to get my money back?