Yes, absolutely. The DV Act protects women in “domestic relationships,” which includes live-in relationships, even without formal marriage. If you’ve been in a relationship “in the nature of marriage” and shared a household, you’re covered. The law recognizes that abuse occurs in various domestic arrangements, not just legal marriages. Sisters, mothers, daughters, and other female relatives living in shared households are also protected regardless of marriage.

Filing a DV case doesn’t prevent or complicate divorce proceedings—in fact, it can strengthen your divorce case by documenting cruelty and abuse. You can file both DV case and divorce simultaneously or separately. Evidence and orders from the DV case can be used in divorce proceedings to prove grounds like cruelty. Maintenance granted in DV proceedings is interim relief; final alimony is decided in divorce. Many women file DV cases first for immediate protection and financial support, then proceed with divorce.

Threatening or harassing you after filing violates the Protection Order and is contempt of court, punishable with imprisonment up to one year or fine up to ₹20,000. Immediately inform your lawyer and the court. We can file an application for breach of protection order. The court can enhance protection measures, direct police to take action, or even order the abuser’s arrest for contempt. Your safety is paramount—we work with police and courts to ensure protection.

No. The DV Act gives you the right to reside in the shared household regardless of whose name the property is in. Even if the house belongs to your husband, parents-in-law, or is rented in their name, you have a right to live there. The court’s Residence Order prevents them from evicting you, changing locks, or disposing of household effects. If you’ve already been thrown out, the court can order your restoration to the household. This protection exists until your legal rights are finally determined through divorce or other proceedings.

There’s no fixed formula. Courts consider your husband’s income and assets, your income and earning capacity, your and your children’s reasonable needs, your lifestyle during marriage, and medical expenses due to violence. Maintenance typically ranges from ₹5,000 to ₹50,000 per month depending on financial circumstances, but can be higher in affluent families. Courts also grant one-time compensation for injuries and losses. Maintenance is backdated to the date of application. This is interim relief; final maintenance is decided in divorce proceedings.

The DV Act primarily protects women in domestic relationships—wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, widows, or any female relative living in a shared household. This includes mothers-in-law being abused by daughters-in-law, sisters being abused by brothers, daughters being abused by parents, or elderly mothers being abused by sons. Live-in partners are also covered. However, the Act doesn’t protect men, even if they face domestic abuse. Male victims must use other legal remedies like IPC sections for assault or file police complaints.