I'm facing domestic violence. How do I get a protection order?

What the Law Says

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (DV Act) gives women the right to seek immediate legal protection from abuse by husbands, live-in partners, or other family members.

You can file an application for a protection order under Section 12 of the DV Act. It can be filed by you directly, or through a Protection Officer or service provider — no lawyer is mandatory.

The Magistrate must hold the first hearing within 3 days of receiving the application and pass a final order within 60 days. Interim orders (like eviction of the abuser or restraining contact) can be granted immediately — even on the same day.

A protection order under Section 18 prohibits the respondent from committing any act of domestic violence, entering your residence or workplace, contacting you, or alienating shared assets.

Statutory Text

An aggrieved person may present an application to the Magistrate seeking one or more reliefs under this Act.

— Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, s. 12 — Application to Magistrate

Statutory Text

The Magistrate may, after giving the aggrieved person and the respondent an opportunity of being heard and on being satisfied that the respondent has committed an act of domestic violence… pass a protection order.

— Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, s. 18 — Protection orders

Statutory Text

The Magistrate shall endeavour to dispose of every application made under section 12 within sixty days from the date of its first hearing.

— Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, s. 12(3) — Time limit for disposal

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