Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence

Civil200538 sections5 chapters

This law protects women in India from domestic violence in shared households, applying to wives, partners, and family members. It regulates physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse, including dowry harassment. It matters because it grants vulnerable women the legal right to reside in their homes, secure protection orders to stop abuse, and obtain financial maintenance, custody, and medical aid. By establishing Protection Officers and support networks, this act transforms domestic abuse from a private family matter into a public offense, ensuring victims receive immediate safety, shelter, and legal recourse while strictly penalizing any abusers who dare violate these orders.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II DOMESTIC VIOLENCE →

  1. 3Definition of domestic violence.

Chapter III POWERS AND DUTIES OF PROTECTION OFFICERS, SERVICE PROVIDERS, ETC. →

  1. 4Information to Protection Officer and exclusion of liability of informant.
  2. 5Duties of police officers, service providers and Magistrate.
  3. 6Duties of shelter homes.
  4. 7Duties of medical facilities.
  5. 8Appointment of Protection Officers.
  6. 9Duties and functions of Protection Officers.
  7. 10Service providers.
  8. 11Duties of Government.

Chapter IV PROCEDURE FOR OBTAININGORDERS OF RELIEFS →

  1. 12Application to Magistrate.
  2. 13Service of notice.
  3. 14Counselling.
  4. 15Assistance of welfare expert.
  5. 16Proceedings to be held in camera.
  6. 17Right to reside in a shared household.
  7. 18Protection orders.
  8. 19Residence orders.
  9. 20Monetary reliefs.
  10. 21Custody orders.
  11. 22Compensation orders.
  12. 23Power to grant interim and ex parte orders.
  13. 24Court to give copies of order free of cost.
  14. 25Duration and alteration of orders.
  15. 26Relief in other suits and legal proceedings.
  16. 27Jurisdiction.
  17. 28Procedure.
  18. 29Appeal.

Chapter V MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 30Protection Officers and members of service providers to be public servants.
  2. 31Penalty for breach of protection order by respondent.
  3. 32Cognizance and proof.
  4. 33Penalty for not discharging duty by Protection Officer.
  5. 34Cognizance of offence committed by Protection Officer.
  6. 35Protection of action taken in good faith.
  7. 36Act not in derogation of any other law.
  8. 37Power of Central Government to make rules.

PDF: pending for this language.