‘In-laws living apart can’t be tried under DV Act’

The Delhi high court has ruled that in a matrimonial dispute, a woman cannot seek protection from her in-laws under the Domestic Violence Act if they live separately from the couple. The court said only violence committed by a person while living in shared household can constitute domestic violence. The court, however, also said if the woman faced any kind of violence or harassment from her in-laws, who live at a distance from the couple, she can seek relief under various sections of the IPC but not under DV.

Justice G P Mittal said one has to make distinction between violence committed on a person living in a separate household and violence committed on a person living in shared household.