Handbook on Law of Domestic Violence

The Handbook on Law of Domestic Violence is an attempt to provide a tool towards uniform and proactive implementation of the Act to ensure that the promise and goal of promoting and fulfilling women’s human rights is upheld. The Handbook will not only act as a comprehensive guide with regard to the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (PWDVA) and collate the best practices that have emerged from domestic and international experiences, but it will provide an overview of the entire gamut of laws, procedures, and the jurisprudence that impact on a case of domestic violence. The idea is to provide a ‘one stop’ tool, which can be used for reference by members of the judiciary in any context, in dealing with a case of domestic violence. Although the Handbook is intended primarily for members of the judiciary, it is also an important reference guide for legal academicians, lawyers, and relevant authorities. The practice of evolving Handbook and guidelines to assist the courts and implementing authorities in dealing with cases of domestic violence is well developed internationally. The “Handbook on Domestic Violence” has been inspired by the rich practice and framework of the existing international manuals but is based on the experiences of the Indian legal system and the particular needs of women facing domestic violence in India. The Handbook has been divided into parts in order to ensure structural clarity. While the first part addresses the substantive and procedural issues and concerns that have been raised under the PWDVA and the role of concerned implementing agencies, the remaining parts briefly deal with other Indian laws impacting on domestic violence and the jurisprudence relating to domestic violence in countries which have set standards in developing and implementing laws on domestic violence. Because of the benefit of active involvement in the process of drafting of the PWDVA 2005, the commentary on the law reflects the intention and spirit of the legislation. The message of the Handbook is a zero tolerance level for domestic violence.

Contents
How to Use the Handbook ............................................................... vii
Introduction ..................................................................................... xi
Preface ............................................................................................ xxi
Acknowledgments ........................................................................... xxv
Contents ...................................................................................... xxvii
List of Abbreviations .................................................................... xxxiii
Table of Cases ............................................................................... xxxv
Part I
THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC
VIOLENCE ACT 2005
CHAPTER 1
Overview ....................................................................................... 3
1.1 ‘STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS’ ...................................... 3
1.2 DEFINITIONS ............................................................................. 4
1.3 RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UNDER THE LAW ..................................... 4
1.4 MECHANISMS............................................................................. 5
1.5 PROCEDURE AND ENFORCEMENT .................................................. 6
CHAPTER 2
Coverage, Rights and Reliefs Under the Protection of
Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 .............................. 9
2.1 DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ....................................... 11
2.1.1 Section 3(a): Mental or Physical Harm, Injury or Endangerment
.....................................................................................13
2.1.2 Section 3(b): Harassment for Unlawful Dowry Demand ....17
2.1.3 Section 3(c): Threat .............................................................18
2.1.4 Section 3(d): ‘Otherwise Injures or Causes Harm’ ..............18
2.1.5 Forms I, IV, and V ................................................................19
2.1.6 Overall Facts and Circumstances of the Case ......................19
2.2 PARTIES ................................................................................... 20
2.2.1 Aggrieved Persons ................................................................20
2.2.2 Respondents .........................................................................22
2.3 DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIP ......................................................... 24
2.3.1 Relationship in the Nature of Marriage ...............................25
2.3.2 Shared Household................................................................31
2.4 RIGHTS AND DUTIES ................................................................ 36
2.4.1 Right to Reside in the Shared Household ...........................36
2.4.2 Right to Make an Application .............................................38
2.4.3 Duty to Inform Aggrieved Person .......................................38
2.4.4 Duty to Inform Aggrieved Person of Availability of Service
Providers ..............................................................................38
2.4.5 Duty to Inform Aggrieved Person of Availability of Services
of Protection Officers ..........................................................38
2.4.6 Duty to Inform Aggrieved Person of Right to Free Legal
Services ................................................................................39
2.4.7 Duty to Inform Aggrieved Person of Right to File a Complaint
Under the Indian Penal Code 1860, Section 498A ..39
2.5 RELIEFS ................................................................................... 39
2.5.1 Burden of Proof ...................................................................40
2.5.2 Protection Orders ................................................................41
2.5.3 Residence Orders .................................................................44
2.5.4 Monetary Relief ...................................................................49
2.5.5 Custody Orders....................................................................53
2.5.6 Compensation Orders ..........................................................55
2.5.7 Interim and Ex Parte Orders ...............................................56
2.5.8 Civil Orders for Relief: In Addition to Other Laws ...........60
2.5.9 Breach of Orders .................................................................62
2.5.10 Rules ..................................................................................62
CHAPTER 3
Mechanisms and Support Structure ............................................ 63
3.1 PROTECTION OFFICERS ............................................................. 64
3.1.1 Rationale for Introducing Protection Officers as a Separate
Mechanism...........................................................................65
3.1.2 Appointment of Protection Officers ....................................65
3.1.3 Duties of the PO under the Act & Rules ............................67
3.1.4 Section 33: Penalty for Failing to Discharge Duty .............72
3.2 SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT ...................................................... 73
3.2.1 Registration of Service Providers: Rule 11 & Form VI .......73
3.2.2 The ‘Good Faith’ Protection ...............................................75
3.2.3 Powers of Service Providers .................................................75
3.2.4 Protection Officers and Service Providers are Public Servants 77
3.3 ROLE OF THE POLICE ................................................................ 78
3.3.1 Examples of Police Involvement ..........................................79
3.4 NOTIFIED SHELTER HOMES AND MEDICAL FACILITIES ................. 80
3.4.1 Shelter Homes .....................................................................80
3.4.2 Medical Facilities .................................................................81
3.5 COUNSELLING UNDER THE ACT................................................. 82
3.5.1 Why the Need for Counselling ............................................82
3.5.2 Counselling and the PWDVA..............................................83
3.5.3 Appointment of Counsellors ................................................90
CHAPTER 4
Procedure Under the Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act 2005 .................................................. 93
4.1 INFORMATION: SECTION 4 ........................................................ 95
4.1.1 Rule 4(2): Informant to Sign ..............................................96
4.2 DOMESTIC INCIDENT REPORT: SECTION 2(E), SECTION 5, RULE 5
AND FORM I .......................................................................... 96
4.2.1 Preparing a Domestic Incident Report ................................98
4.2.2 Role of the Police and the Domestic Incident Report .........98
4.2.3 Role of Medical Facilities.....................................................99
4.3 APPLICATION FOR RELIEFS: SECTIONS 12 AND 23 AND FORMS II AND
III .......................................................................................101
4.3.1 Application in Prescribed Format: Form II ....................... 103
4.3.2 Repeat Applicants ............................................................. 105
4.3.3 Applying for Interim and Ex parte Relief ......................... 105
4.3.4 The PWDVA and Prior Acts of Domestic Violence ......... 106
4.3.5 Application in a Pending Proceeding ................................ 109
4.4 SAFETY PLAN: RULE 8(1)(IV) AND FORM V................................110
4.5 HOME VISITS ..........................................................................111
4.5.1 Home Visits: When and Why ........................................... 112
4.5.2 Report of the Protection Officer ...................................... 113
4.5.3 Sharing the Home Visit Report and Examination of the
Protection Officer ............................................................. 114
4.5.4 Financial Inquiry .............................................................. 115
4.6 NOTICE TO BE ISSUED BY THE COURT:
SECTION 13 AND RULE 12 .....................................................115
4.6.1 Time Limit for Service of Notice of Hearing ................... 116
4.6.2 Effectuation and Proof of Service ..................................... 116
4.6.3 Use of Procedures under the Code of Civil Procedure 1908
or the Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 ......................... 118
4.7 INTERIM AND EX PARTE ORDERS ..............................................121
4.8 AT THE TRIAL STAGE: PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS ...................122
4.8.1 Procedure to Be Followed: Section 28(1) and Rule 6(5) .. 122
4.8.2 Section 28(2): Court Can Formulate its Own Procedure . 125
4.8.3 In-Camera Proceedings ..................................................... 127
4.8.4 Burden of Proof ................................................................ 127
4.9 DISCHARGE, MODIFICATION, ALTERATION OR REVOCATION OF
ORDERS ...............................................................................130
4.9.1 Difference between Revocation and Discharge ................ 132
4.10 BREACH OF ORDER: SECTIONS 31 AND 32 AND RULE 15 ..........132
4.10.1 Procedure for Conducting Proceedings
Under Section 31 .............................................................. 133
4.10.2 Sole Testimony of the Aggrieved Person ........................ 134
4.10.3 Breach of Protection Orders: Rule 15 ............................ 134
4.10.4 Undergoing Imprisonment does Not Absolve
Respondent of Liabilities .................................................. 136
4.11 ENFORCEMENT OF ORDERS ....................................................137
4.11.1 Protection Orders ........................................................... 137
4.11.2 Residence Orders ............................................................ 137
4.11.3 Compensation and Monetary Orders ............................. 137
4.11.4 Rule 15(7) ...................................................................... 138
4.11.5 Use of Protection Officers and Police ............................. 138
4.12 COUNSELING.........................................................................139
4.12.1 Counseling: Some Points ................................................ 139
4.13 APPEALS ................................................................................140
4.13.1 Appeal Against Orders Passed in Pending Proceedings .. 140
Part II
The Legal Framework in Addition to the Protection of Women
from Domestic Violence Act 2005: An Outline
CHAPTER 5
Indian Legal Framework in Addition to
the PWDVA: An Outline ......................................................143
5.1 CRIMINAL LAW ........................................................................145
5.1.1 The Indian Penal Code and Offences Against the Body .. 145
5.2 LAW OF TORTS .............................................................. 155
5.2.1 Trespass to Person ............................................................. 156
5.2.2 Negligence as a Tort .......................................................... 158
5.2.3 Other Relevant Tort: Intentional Infliction of Emotional
Distress ............................................................................. 158
5.2.4 Remedies for Torts ............................................................ 159
5.3 Civil Law of Divorce on Ground of Cruelty ....................... 159
5.4 MAINTENANCE IN CRIMINAL LAW: SECTION 125, CODE OF CRIMINAL
PROCEDURE 1973 .................................................................164
5.4.1 Coverage under Section 125 ............................................. 165
5.4.2 Quantum of Maintenance ................................................ 166
5.5 WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OTHER COUNTRIES................167
5.5.1 Domestic Violence: Legal Response in
the United States .............................................................. 167
5.5.2 Domestic Violence: Legal Response in United Kingdom .. 170
5.5.3 Domestic Violence: Legal Response in South Africa ......... 170
Part III
Appendices
Appendix I ..................................................................................175
Appendix II ................................................................................191
Appendix III ...............................................................................229
Index...........................................................................................333