Domestic Violence Act applicable to all women irrespective of religion, social background: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court has recently observed that the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act is a “measure of social justice applicable to each woman irrespective of religious affiliation or social background”.

A single judge bench of Justice Anoop Kumar Mendiratta in its April 5 order further said, “The same was enacted to safeguard the rights of the victims of ‘domestic violence’ in domestic relationship.”

The High Court made the observations while dismissing a plea moved by a husband and his relatives challenging an appellate court order restoring the domestic violence complaint of the wife.

The petitioners had claimed that the non-appearance of the wife before the trial court was “intentional in order to harass the petitioners”. It was also submitted that the respondent wife was contesting other litigations between the same parties and sufficient grounds have not been shown before the appellate court (Additional Sessions Judge) for restoration of the proceedings.