Definition of domestic violence
Describes covered forms of domestic violence, including specified abuse.
Official law source ↗Family & women · LEGAL ISSUE GUIDE
Domestic Violence
घरेलू हिंसा
Domestic violence may lead to protection, residence, monetary and custody-related reliefs; criminal provisions may also apply if separate elements are present.
Understanding this legal issue
Domestic violence may lead to protection, residence, monetary and custody-related reliefs; criminal provisions may also apply if separate elements are present.
The DV Act is principally a protective civil-relief framework with penal consequences for breach of protection orders. Section 85 BNS requires proof of its specific ingredients and is not automatically attracted in every domestic dispute.
Key question: Which DV Act relief is appropriate: protection, residence or monetary relief?
SELECTED PROVISIONS · NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST
Protection & remedies
Application to Magistrate
Route for seeking one or more reliefs before the Magistrate.
Official law source ↗Right to reside in a shared household
Addresses the statutory right of residence in a shared household.
Official law source ↗Monetary reliefs
Provides for specified monetary reliefs linked to domestic violence.
Official law source ↗Compensation orders
Provides compensation and damages under specified circumstances.
Official law source ↗Interim and ex parte orders
Enables interim and ex parte relief in appropriate cases.
Official law source ↗Related offences
Husband or relative of husband subjecting woman to cruelty
Penal provision concerning cruelty by husband or his relatives.
Earlier-law reference: IPC 498A · orientation only
Official law source ↗Cruelty — explanation for section 85
Defines cruelty for purposes of the preceding section.
Earlier-law reference: IPC 498A explanation · orientation only
Official law source ↗Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt
Punishment provision for voluntarily causing hurt.
Earlier-law reference: IPC 323 · orientation only
Official law source ↗Criminal intimidation
Addresses threats constituting criminal intimidation and its forms.
Earlier-law reference: IPC 503 / 506 · orientation only
Official law source ↗Procedure & rights
Penalty for breach of protection order
Provides penal consequences for breach of a protection order.
Official law source ↗Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents
Magisterial maintenance procedure with eligibility and related provisions.
Earlier-law reference: CrPC 125 · orientation only
Official law source ↗Protection of life and personal liberty
Protects life and personal liberty, subject to procedure established by law and constitutional interpretation.
Official law source ↗Before relying on these references: Read the full official law, check sub-sections, schedules, exemptions, dates, special Acts, transition rules and current judicial interpretation. Mentioning a section here does not mean it applies to every fact pattern.