How can you file a complaint against domestic violence?

Last updated on Apr 8, 2022

[Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on domestic violence which some readers may find disturbing.]

You or anyone on your behalf, can approach the authorities listed below to file a complaint against any domestic violence that you have been facing:

Police

Go to the Police Station 

You can approach the police station in your area, or any other police station, and file a complaint for domestic violence. The police will file a DIR/FIR and/or direct you to the Protection Officer of the district who will be able to help you out further.

Protection Officer

Approach the Protection Officer 

To file a complaint, the Protection Officer of the district will be the first point of contact for you. The Protection Officer will help you file a Domestic Incident Report (DIR), make applications to the Court to get you monetary relief, protection etc. A state-by-state list of Protection Officers is given here. If you cannot find the Protection Officer of your area, you can reach out to NGOs, civil society organizations and service providers who will put you in touch with one.

National and State Commissions for Women

Approach the National/State Commission for Women

National Commission for Women (NCW) is a national-level government organization that is empowered to investigate complaints related to issues faced by women, such as domestic violence, dowry harassment, rape, etc. The NCW will help you by:

  • Monitoring and expediting the investigations being led by the police.
  • Providing counselling or a hearing before the NCW, so that the dispute can be resolved between the two parties.
  • Constituting an Inquiry Committee which makes spot inquiries, examines witnesses, collects evidence and submits the report with recommendations regarding the domestic violence.

You can get in touch with them by either calling the helpline number 1091, or sending an email to ncw@nic.in or filing an online complaint. As the NCW is located in New Delhi, you can approach the State Commission of Women situated in your state, and ask them for help.

Some states provide handbooks for ASHA workers where you can find more information on forms on violence, where it can happen and how to file a complaint to seek protection against domestic violence. For example, see this handbook published for ASHA in Chattisgarh, Delhi, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

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Comments

Sandeep kour

August 21, 2022

My mother in law beaten me…

Nyaaya

August 25, 2022

You can use the Ask Nyaaya Helpline to ask us any legal questions.

Kajal khatoon

August 29, 2022

Hello sir my name is kajal khatoon or meri maa mujhe bhut Marti b gandi gandi galiya deti h jaan se marne ki kosis bhi kr chuki h or dhmkiya deti h bhut Marti h aaj bhi mujhe maara gaya h agar main kehti hu police ko bol dugi to mera fon chin liya jata h sir plzz help me sir

Nyaaya

September 5, 2022

Do you want to file a complaint?

Puspa Ray Mandal

November 3, 2022

Hlw sir, mera name puspa Ray Mandal h, main apne husband (Sujit Mandal) se bahut pareshan hun wo pikar ate h aur mujhe janwar ke tarah marte rahte h aur bolte h mar dalenge ,mere sasural Wale meri koi help nahi karte h, wo log sirf dekhte rahte h, meri 2 beti h wo log ko v kabhi kabhi marte h mere sath,mujhe aaplogo ki help chahiye pls meri help kare

Nyaaya

November 11, 2022

Thank you for writing to Nyaaya. Ma’am, aap chaahein toh aap apne pati ke khilaaf police complaint kar sakte hain. Hum aapki complaint file nahi kar sakte, lekin hum aapko Free Legal Aid dilwa sakte hain, yadi aapko chahiye.

Kanika arora

August 23, 2022

Plz hlp me

Nyaaya

August 25, 2022

You can use The Ask Nyaaya Helpline to ask us any legal questions.

Laxmi

September 11, 2022

Namaskar sir,
Sir meri shadi ko 25 saal ho gye h , mere husband 2016 mai BSF se jabardasti VRS le kr aagye ab na to koi kam krte h na hi ghar m koi help krte h shamko daru pee kr mere or mere baccho ke sath jhagda krte h gali galoch krte h phir mar pitai kerne lagte h kai saal se apni or apne baccho ki Ijjat ke bare m sochte hua kahi koi shikayat nhi kari, but abhi bhot jyada ho gya h mere beti jo final year m padhai krti h ghar m jhagde ki wajah se PG m rahti beta ghar m h job dhood raha h, roj roj ke jhagde ki wajah se ghar ka mahol bhot kharab ho gya h,. Aapse hath jod kr nivedan h mere help kijiye.. Mere husband ka nam praveen kumar h.. Mobile no 9871088527 hai.

Nyaaya

October 7, 2022

घरेलू हिंसा की शिकायत करने का प्रोसेस:-
(1) सबसे पहले पीड़िता को पुलिस स्टेशन या कोर्ट में कम्प्लेन करानी होगी।

(2) इसके बाद, जिस व्यक्ति के खिलाफ कम्प्लेन फाइल हुई है, उसको कोर्ट द्वारा बुलाया जायेगा।

(3) इसके बाद कोर्ट के जज समझेंगे कि दोषी की गलती है या नहीं। और अगर है, तो कितनी गलती है। इसके आधार पर कोर्ट तय करेगी कि पीड़िता को मेंटेनेंस मिलना चाहिए या नहीं।

(4) इसके बाद, कोर्ट दोषी की आर्थिक स्तिथि को ध्यान में रखकर तय करेगी कि पीड़िता को कितना मेंटेनेंस मिलेगा और सुबूतों के आधार पर अपना फाइनल डिसीज़न करेगी।

Chandni

August 28, 2022

Mere husband ek saal pehle mujse jhut bol k gaon gae gaon mei shadi kiya Dusri aurat k sath reh Raha hai mere sasural Wale aur mere husband Puri family muje maari hai case karne gai koi case nhi liya chawki mei family matter bol k return bhej diye

Nyaaya

September 5, 2022

Your husband has committed offence under section 494 of Indian Penal Code when he has married to another woman whereas previously he married you, and his family is liable under section 498A of Indian Penal Code when they have beaten you. When police officers are not writing down the FIR you may approach the magistrate under Section 198A of Criminal Procedure Code where he will direct the police officers to write your report and will proceed further.

Malathi Joshi

September 4, 2022

My husband beats me and harasses me

Nyaaya

September 5, 2022

You can file a domestic violence complaint following the steps given in the explainer above.

Amir shaikh

September 9, 2022

wife filed false complaint against me under domestic violence. she want i need to settle in her hometown with her parents so she use to go to her hometown and not coming back to my home. Now she is there with her parents since last 9 months and now i sent legal notice then she filed false complaint against me. what is solution

Nyaaya

September 19, 2022

If a false case is registered by a wife on her husband than two things can be done, namely, at first to defend yourself and wait for the judgement from the court or to file a counter case on your wife. Both can be further explained. If you are ready for defence (husband), then at first you require to safeguard yourself and family from being arrested on false allegations by filing or getting an anticipatory bail or any other such thing that totally depends on the situation at that time. Further one need to collect as many proves as possible to protect themselves for example call records, mails, photographs, messages, statements of neighbours and localities and many such things. Collecting evidence on not taking dowry and that the wife has moved out from the bond of marriage without any valid reason. The evidence will help during anticipatory bail or on getting notice of bail from the court.
You can even file a complaint on the grounds of Restitution of Conjugal Rights RCR, if the wife has left the husband’s place without any valid reasons and before she comes back the husband can lay down various conditions too for peaceful living.
Section 120B of Indian Penal Code 1860, talks about punishment for criminal conspiracy, where if there is a false case registered then the husband can file a case against his wife under this section as her intentions are to commit a crime against you.

Anjali kapoor

September 22, 2022

May husband beate. Me 1 day back that i god my ear membnare perforated and i am unable to hear from left ear .i have got bruises over neck and face

Nyaaya

September 26, 2022

Thank you for contacting Nyaaya. We are so sorry to learn about your situation. Here are some steps you can take:

You or anyone on your behalf, can approach the authorities listed below to file a complaint against any domestic violence that you have been facing:

Police
Go to the Police Station

You can approach the police station in your area, or any other police station, and file a complaint for domestic violence. The police will file a DIR/FIR and/or direct you to the Protection Officer of the district who will be able to help you out further.

Protection Officer
Approach the Protection Officer

To file a complaint, the Protection Officer of the district will be the first point of contact for you. The Protection Officer will help you file a Domestic Incident Report (DIR), make applications to the Court to get you monetary relief, protection etc. A state-by-state list of Protection Officers is given here. If you cannot find the Protection Officer of your area, you can reach out to NGOs, civil society organizations and service providers who will put you in touch with one.

National and State Commissions for Women

Approach the National/State Commission for Women

National Commission for Women (NCW) is a national-level government organization that is empowered to investigate complaints related to issues faced by women, such as domestic violence, dowry harassment, rape, etc. The NCW will help you by:

• Monitoring and expediting the investigations being led by the police.
• Providing counselling or a hearing before the NCW, so that the dispute can be resolved between the two parties.
• Constituting an Inquiry Committee which makes spot inquiries, examines witnesses, collects evidence and submits the report with recommendations regarding domestic violence.

Jancy

September 23, 2022

My dad was working as a driver cum technician to a person in my village in his water purification plant.
The owner failed to pay dad’s salary and delayed almost for two years.
There is no proof to show the police that is maintained in the water plant. All most 6 laks he was supposed to pay out of which he paid in small amount each month in total of Rs 1,40,000. Balance amount is cheating now and not ready to settle the amount. Inspite of all these he has given multiple complaints against dad stating false allegations.

We are helpless now. Dad’s literally worried about it. Being a middle class family it’s a huge amount for us.

Can you suggest me if we could do something about it.
Email: jancyp15@gmail.com

Nyaaya

September 29, 2022

Tank you for writing to Nyaaya and sharing your concerns with us. Here are some steps you can take:
1. First and foremost, send a detailed legal notice to your employer mentioning all the reasons why you are aggrieved. It is recommended that you send this legal notice within 90 days from the lapse of salary payment.
2. If you earned less than Rs 18,000 a month you can approach the labour commissioner to seek redressal.
3. Cases that come to the labour court must be decided upon within a three-month period. If the matter is not resolved by the labour commissioner the same can be pursued in a court of law by the employee.
4. If your salary is more than Rs 18,000 a month then you can pursue the matter in a civil court.

Free Legal Aid
If your current annual income is less than Rs. 3 Lac or if you are a senior citizen having annual income less than Rs. 4 Lac then you can avail free legal services in New Delhi (to see the limit for your state,follow this link https://nalsa.gov.in/services/legal-aid/eligibility

You can apply for free legal aid either offline or online. You can fill up the ready-made form/application form that is available at your nearest Legal Services Authority and submit the same at either the Authority physically, or post the application to the Authority.
You can even make an application in writing on a simple piece of paper with the necessary details such as your name, gender, residential address, employment status, nationality, whether SC/ST (with proof in support), income per month (with affidavit), the case for which legal aid is required, reason for seeking legal aid, etc. and submit it physically or send by post.
Another option is to send the application online i.e. by email to NALSA (at nalsa-dla@nic.in), or through the online application form available online at NALSA’s website by going on the ‘Online Application’ Link on the Home Page, along with uploading necessary documents.

Also, the New Delhi legal services Authority provides solution to legal problems through 24×7 Telephone Helpline No. 1516. Our Legal Services Advocates hear the grievances and give suitable legal advice to the needy.

Daisy sharma

October 9, 2022

Mere husband mujhe mere bete ki vajah se marte hai bhot baar maar chuke h vo mujhe careless smjhte h aur kal to mera glla itni jor se dba k jhanjoda mujhe jaan se maar dete upr se meri saas kehti h krle jo krna hai me kya kru mujhe smjh ni aarha jab bhi mere bete ko chhot lgti h mera pati mujhe maarta hai

Nyaaya

October 25, 2022

घरेलू हिंसा की शिकायत करने का प्रोसेस:-
(1) सबसे पहले पीड़िता को पुलिस स्टेशन या कोर्ट में कम्प्लेन करानी होगी।

(2) इसके बाद, जिस व्यक्ति के खिलाफ कम्प्लेन फाइल हुई है, उसको कोर्ट द्वारा बुलाया जायेगा।

(3) इसके बाद कोर्ट के जज समझेंगे कि दोषी की गलती है या नहीं। और अगर है, तो कितनी गलती है। इसके आधार पर कोर्ट तय करेगी कि पीड़िता को मेंटेनेंस मिलना चाहिए या नहीं।

(4) इसके बाद, कोर्ट दोषी की आर्थिक स्तिथि को ध्यान में रखकर तय करेगी कि पीड़िता को कितना मेंटेनेंस मिलेगा और सुबूतों के आधार पर अपना फाइनल डिसीज़न करेगी।

Mohd mohsin Ali ahmad

November 1, 2022

Meri wife mere saath bahut galat karti hai hmsesha yahi bola karti hai ki duniya ke admi Mar rhe hai tum nhi mqr rhe ho aur itni gandi gandi bat karti ahi ki kya batye hm aap logo ko hm soche the ki khaki admi hi galat hote hai duniya me magr mera aisi biwi ke saath Pala pada hua hai ki hm to ikdum kya batye apko aur humeha yahi kaha karti hai ki aap office jate hai to waha jake ayyashi akrte hai aur humne aaj bike liye hai finance par usi par hu dimag kharab karke baidi hui thi aur 3 bache the iske pet me wo bhi isne meri marji ke khilaf Gira diya hai dawa humse gusse Garmin me Manga ka plz help kare meri

Nyaaya

November 11, 2022

हमें आपसे सहानभूति है। क्या आप अपनी बीवी के खिलाफ कंप्लेंट करना चाहते हैं?

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