The Supreme Court of India has struck down the words “adult male” in Section 2(q) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (Act) as unconstitutional.
“It is a very welcome judgment. It makes the act gender neutral. The DV Act is, in fact, a piece of beneficial legislation which is not penal in nature and offers civil remedies and secured housing for woman may it be mother, sister, wife, daughter sharing household.
In the current setup, it is not just a wife who could be a victim of domestic violence. A mother or sister could also be subject to domestic violence. Women can harass another woman living under the same roof. If a single daughter is living with her brother and sister-in-law, she could be harassed. The judgment by deleting “male adult” has removed the bar of filing complaint against the woman members sharing household who could be abusive.”
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