Supreme Court Demolition Guidelines 2024: Notice, Hearing and Accountability
Explaining the 13 November 2024 demolition judgment, its procedural safeguards, exceptions and limits on punitive state action.
2026-10-298 minRead
Domestic Violence Help: Protection & Maintenance Orders
Urgent steps under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: helplines, protection officer, Section 12 application and residence and monetary relief.
Reviewed against official texts · Last updated October 2026
Do this now
- In danger: dial 112
- Women Helpline: 181
- National Commission for Women helpline: 7827170170
Step 1: Get safe first
Call 112 if you are in immediate danger. Keep your phone, ID documents and some money accessible. One-Stop Centres (Sakhi) offer shelter, medical, police and legal help.
Step 2: Contact a Protection Officer or service provider
Each district has Protection Officers under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. They help record a Domestic Incident Report and file your application.
Step 3: Apply to the Magistrate (Section 12)
You, a Protection Officer or anyone on your behalf can apply. The Act aims for the first hearing within 3 days and disposal within 60 days (Section 12(4)–(5)). Ex parte interim orders are possible (Section 23).
Step 4: Reliefs available
Protection orders (Section 18), residence orders including the right to stay in the shared household (Sections 17 and 19), monetary relief (Section 20), custody (Section 21) and compensation (Section 22).
Step 5: Parallel remedies
Cruelty by husband or relatives is an offence under Section 85 BNS. Maintenance can be claimed under Section 144 BNSS. Courts must consider all maintenance orders together (Rajnesh v. Neha, (2021) 2 SCC 324).
Documents to keep ready
- Medical records and photographs of injuries
- Messages, call records or audio
- Marriage proof and details of the shared household
- Income details of the respondent, if known
Next: divorce lawyers, maintenance and family law help, BNS section explorer.
This page explains the law in general terms and is not legal advice. Rates, sections and timelines are taken from official texts; confirm the current position for your facts with an advocate before acting.
Official sources
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