Parliament has passed a landmark domestic violence law aimed at strengthening the protection of wives, children, and other vulnerable household members, declaring acts such as staring at one’s wife, threatening divorce or a second marriage, and emotional or economic abuse as punishable crimes under the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2026.
The Domestic Violence Act 2026 will apply to wives, children, elderly family members, adopted children, transgender persons, and individuals living together in the same household.
Under the law, verbally abusing a wife, children, or other household members, or emotionally or psychologically harassing them, will also be considered a crime. Offenders may face up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs100,000.
The Domestic Violence Act 2026 also criminalizes stalking disabled or elderly persons living in the home, forcing a wife to live with other people in the house without her consent, and violating the privacy or dignity of family members.
According to the Act, threatening to cause physical harm to a wife or other household members, making accusations against any person living together in the home, and neglecting the care of a wife, children, or other household members are also punishable offenses.
The Domestic Violence Act includes economic abuse along with sexual abuse, and failure to pay a fine may result in an additional six months’ imprisonment.
The Act also binds courts to conduct prompt hearings on complaints, saying that hearings must begin within seven days of filing an application and decisions must be issued within 90 days.
The law says that the affected person will have the right to reside in the shared household, or the respondent must arrange alternative accommodation or provide a shelter home. Restraining orders will also be issued to keep the abuser away from the victim.
The law passed by the joint session of Parliament further states that the offender may be directed to wear a GPS tracker.
According to the law, domestic violence includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse that causes fear or physical or psychological harm to the affected person.
Under the Domestic Violence Act, staring at one’s wife and threatening divorce or a second marriage have also been declared crimes, with punishments ranging from a minimum of six months to a maximum of three years’ imprisonment.
