Can Domestic Violence Law Protect a Mother-in-Law Too? Allahabad HC Explains

In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has held that a mother-in-law is entitled to seek protection under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, if she faces abuse from her daughter-in-law or other family members.

Justice Alok Mathur emphasized that the Act’s protections extend to any woman in a domestic relationship, including elderly women living in shared households.

Key Highlights of the Judgment:

A mother-in-law qualifies as an “aggrieved woman” under the Domestic Violence Act if subjected to physical or mental cruelty.
The law is beneficial and must be interpreted liberally to protect all women from domestic violence.
The shared household and domestic relationship between the parties were central to the court's reasoning.
The daughter-in-law had challenged the summons issued by a trial court, alleging retaliation for her earlier complaints of dowry harassment.

Legal Outcome:

The Court, after reviewing Section 12 of the Domestic Violence Act, upheld the mother-in-law’s right to legal remedy.
The daughter-in-law’s petition was dismissed, allowing the trial court to proceed with the case.

Takeaway:

This judgment reaffirms that the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 is not one-sided—it protects all women in a domestic setting, including mothers-in-law, who may be vulnerable to mistreatment within joint families.

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