Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
An Act to provide for more effective protection of the rights of women guaranteed under the Constitution who are victims of violence of any kind occurring within the family and formatters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Chapter I: Preliminary
- 1 Short title, extent and commencement
- 2 Definitions 17 judgments
Chapter II: Domestic Violence
- 3 Definition of domestic violence 6 judgments
Chapter III: Powers and Duties of Protection Officers, Service Providers, Etc.
- 4 Information to Protection Officer and exclusion of liability of informant
- 5 Duties of police officers, service providers and Magistrate
- 6 Duties of shelter homes
- 7 Duties of medical facilities
- 8 Appointment of Protection Officers
- 9 Duties and functions of Protection Officers 1 judgment
- 10 Service providers 1 judgment
- 11 Duties of Government
Chapter IV: Procedure for Obtaining Orders of Reliefs
- 12 Application to Magistrate 26 judgments
- 13 Service of notice 1 judgment
- 14 Counselling
- 15 Assistance of welfare expert
- 16 Proceedings to be held in camera
- 17 Right to reside in a shared household 6 judgments
- 18 Protection orders 8 judgments
- 19 Residence orders 10 judgments
- 20 Monetary reliefs 9 judgments
- 21 Custody orders 2 judgments
- 22 Compensation orders 9 judgments
- 23 Power to grant interim and ex parte orders 8 judgments
- 24 Court to give copies of order free of cost
- 25 Duration and alteration of orders 1 judgment
- 26 Relief in other suits and legal proceedings 6 judgments
- 27 Jurisdiction 2 judgments
- 28 Procedure 4 judgments
- 29 Appeal 4 judgments
Chapter V: Miscellaneous
- 30 Protection Officers and members of service providers to be public servants
- 31 Penalty for breach of protection order by respondent
- 32 Cognizance and proof 1 judgment
- 33 Penalty for not discharging duty by Protection Officer
- 34 Cognizance of offence committed by Protection Officer
- 35 Protection of action taken in good faith
- 36 Act not in derogation of any other law 2 judgments
- 37 Power of Central Government to make rules 1 judgment
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 14 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.