Last reviewed: 27 September 2026. Laws and procedures change; check current rules before acting.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is a civil law that gives women quick protection and support. It can be used alongside a criminal complaint or a divorce, or on its own.
Who can apply and against whom
A woman who is or has been in a domestic relationship (wife, a woman in a relationship in the nature of marriage, mother, sister, daughter) can apply against the adult male or relatives with whom she shares or shared a household. Domestic violence includes physical, sexual, verbal and emotional, and economic abuse.
Step by step
- Contact a Protection Officer or service provider, or approach the Magistrate directly through a lawyer.
- Domestic Incident Report. The Protection Officer records the complaint.
- Application under section 12 to the Magistrate. The Act says the first hearing should ordinarily be within three days of receipt.
- Interim and ex parte orders (section 23) in urgent cases.
- Final orders. The Act aims for disposal within 60 days of the first hearing, though cases often take longer.
- Appeal to the Sessions Court within 30 days (section 29).
What relief is available
| Section | Relief |
|---|---|
| 18 | Protection order: stop violence, contact or entry |
| 19 | Residence order: right to live in the shared household |
| 20 | Monetary relief: maintenance, medical costs, losses |
| 21 | Temporary custody of children |
| 22 | Compensation for injuries, including mental torture |
In Satish Chander Ahuja v. Sneha Ahuja (2020), the Supreme Court held that a shared household can include a house belonging to the husband's relatives where the woman lived. Breach of a protection order is an offence under section 31.
Evidence that helps
- Medical records and photographs of injuries.
- Messages, emails and call records.
- Names of witnesses such as neighbours.
- Details of stridhan and belongings held back.
See domestic violence legal help and stridhan recovery.
Related services
Disclaimer: This page gives general information about the law and procedure as understood at the time of writing. It is not legal advice for your situation. Requirements may vary depending on the parties' circumstances, applicable law, jurisdiction and the concerned authority, and rules and forms change from time to time. Please consult an advocate before acting.