A Residence Order is a legal order passed by a court under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (PWDVA) in India. It grants a woman the right to reside in a shared household, irrespective of whether she has ownership rights or not. The order is made to provide protection to a woman from being forcibly evicted from her home by her husband, partner, or other family members who are perpetrators of domestic violence. Key Features of a Residence Order: 1. Right to Reside in a Shared Household: - A woman has the right to reside in a shared household, even if she does not have legal ownership of it. This includes any place where she has lived with the respondent (e.g., her husband or partner). 2. Protection from Eviction or Dispossession: - The court can pass an order preventing the woman from being evicted or dispossessed from the shared household, even if the respondent (the husband or partner) is the owner of the house or property. - This protects the woman from being forced to leave the residence or being harassed into vacating. 3. Exclusion of the Abuser: - In certain cases, the court can also pass an order to exclude the abusive partner or family member from the shared household, allowing the woman to continue living there safely. 4. Conditions of the Residence Order: - The court may impose certain conditions based on the specific needs of the woman, including: - The abuser being restrained from entering the shared household. - The abuser being prohibited from disturbing the woman’s peaceful enjoyment of the home. 5. Temporary and Final Orders: - A temporary residence order can be passed immediately to ensure the woman’s safety, while a final residence order can be issued after a more detailed hearing and investigation. 6. Applicability: - A residence order can be sought by women who are victims of domestic violence and have been living with the abuser in a shared household, including married women, live-in partners, or those in relationships resembling marriage. Legal Procedure: - The woman, through a Domestic Violence Protection Officer or a lawyer, files an application before a Magistrate under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. - The court examines the case and, if satisfied that domestic violence has occurred, passes a residence order to ensure the woman’s right to stay in the home or a safe place. Importance of a Residence Order: - It provides immediate relief and a sense of security to women who are victims of domestic violence. - It ensures that women are not deprived of their right to live in a safe environment, which is crucial for their physical and emotional well-being. - It helps in preventing further harassment or violence by making sure that the woman is not forced out of her residence. In summary, a residence order is an essential legal provision for protecting the right of a woman to live in a shared household and prevents her from being unlawfully evicted or dispossessed by a perpetrator of domestic violence.

Dear Client, A residence order is an order granted in terms of sub-section (1) of section 19 of the THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT, 2005. It is one of the reliefs that an aggrieved person can apply for under the Act. An application seeking such relief can be presented to the Magistrate by the aggrieved person, a Protection Officer, or another person on behalf of the aggrieved person. The Magistrate may pass a residence order while disposing of an application under Section 12, after being satisfied that domestic violence has taken place. I hope this answer helps. In case of future queries please feel free to contact us. Thank you.