Law relating to Domestic Violence and Women Protection in India: A Critical Study

Abstract

Domestic violence remains one of the most pervasive and underreported forms of gender-based violence in India, affecting women across social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. Despite constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, and personal liberty, women continue to face abuse within the private sphere of the home. This research critically examines the legal framework governing domestic violence in India, with a central focus on the DV Act, 2005, in conjunction with relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and constitutional protections under Articles 14, 15, and 21. The study adopts a doctrinal methodology to analyze the statutory provisions, judicial interpretations, and the practical challenges in the implementation of the law. It explores the roles of protection officers, magistrates, and support systems in delivering justice to survivors, and assesses whether the law adequately addresses not only physical violence but also emotional, economic, sexual, and psychological abuse. The research also identifies lacunae in the law’s enforcement, including issues of delayed justice, lack of awareness, patriarchal bias, and institutional insensitivity. By critically engaging with landmark judgments, legal commentaries, and governmental reports, the study offers insights into how the law can be strengthened to provide more effective protection and empowerment for women. The research concludes by recommending policy reforms, capacity building, and increased socio-legal awareness as key steps toward eliminating domestic violence and ensuring substantive gender justice in India.