Answer By law4u team
Yes, a complaint can be filed against a woman, including a mother-in-law, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA). However, only a woman can be the aggrieved person (victim), while the respondent (accused) can be: an adult male (primarily), and in certain cases, female relatives of the husband or male partner — like mother-in-law, sister-in-law, etc. Key Legal Provision: Section 2(q) of the PWDVA defines the respondent as: "Any adult male person… and also includes his relatives", Which has been interpreted to include female relatives too, such as mother-in-law, if they are involved in harassment, cruelty, or abuse. Important Case Law: Hiral P. Harsora vs Kusum Narottamdas Harsora (2016) – The Supreme Court struck down the phrase “adult male” from Section 2(q), allowing complaints against women also under DV Act. Therefore: A wife or female live-in partner can file a domestic violence complaint against her mother-in-law, sister-in-law, or any other female relative of the husband if there's evidence of abuse. Reliefs available to the victim: Protection orders Residence orders Monetary relief Custody orders Compensation Conclusion: Yes, under Indian law, a woman (like a mother-in-law) can be named as a respondent in a Domestic Violence case if she is alleged to be involved in cruelty, mental or physical abuse, or harassment.
