Silent No More: Your Survival Guide This Women’s Day 2025 – How to Fight Back Against Domestic Violence and Dowry Harassment
This could be your story any day or everyday: You’re mechanically doing your chores, hearing your heart pounding, squeeze in your chest, unable to concentrate on anything, your spirit breaking, as the walls of your marriage close in on you when you reminisce the harsh words spoken and loud actions done by your partner. The promises of love have turned into threats, the respect into control, and the marriage into a prison. You’re not alone. Thousands of women across India are living this reality every single day. But that doesn’t mean that you can normalize this into our lives. Your mother or sister might have suffered in silence and taught you that it is the order of life. Here’s the truth you need to hear: You don’t have to suffer in silence. This Women’s Day 2025, let’s talk about the laws that are fighting for you, the rights you deserve, and the courage it takes to reclaim your life.
Domestic violence and dowry harassment are not just “family matters.” They are crimes—crimes that have shattered lives, silenced voices, and stolen futures. If a man is beaten up by any of his family members or friends, would he keep quiet? Then, why should you? The Indian legal system has armed women with powerful tools to fight back. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (2005) and the Dowry Prohibition Act (1961) are not just words on paper; they are lifelines for women trapped in abusive marriages.
Did you know that under the Domestic Violence Act, you can seek protection orders, monetary relief, and even the right to stay in your marital home? Did you know that dowry harassment can land your abuser in jail for up to five years? These laws are not just about punishment; they’re about empowerment. They’re about telling every woman: You matter. Your safety matters. Your freedom matters.
But here’s the hard truth: Laws alone cannot save us. It’s the courage to speak up, the strength to walk away, and the support of a community that truly makes the difference. This Women’s Day, let’s break the chains of fear and shame. Let’s remind every woman suffering in silence that she is not alone. That she has rights. That she has a voice.
To every woman reading this: You are not defined by your marriage. You are not defined by the abuse. You are defined by your resilience, your strength, and your ability to rise. This is your moment. This is your fight. And this is your reminder that you are worth so much more than the pain you’ve endured.
Stand up. Speak out. Seek help. Because you deserve a life free from fear, a life filled with respect, and a life where you can thrive. This Women’s Day 2025, let’s turn the tide. Let’s rewrite the story. Let’s make sure no woman ever has to suffer in silence again.
A Few Words of Caution!
While laws against domestic violence and dowry harassment are vital shields for countless women, their power lies in their ethical use. False accusations not only tarnish the credibility of these legal safeguards but also inflict irreversible harm on innocent families—and, tragically, divert critical resources and societal trust away from genuine survivors who desperately need support. A 2023 National Crime Records Bureau report revealed that nearly 20% of dowry cases were found to be misused for personal vendettas, leaving courts overburdened and skepticism festering.
The Supreme Court (bench of B V Nagarathna & Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh, JJ) in a Criminal Appeal filed against the order of the Telangana High Court, in December 2024 remarked that “….in recent years, as there have been a notable rise in matrimonial disputes across the country, accompanied by growing discord and tension within the institution of marriage, consequently, there has been a growing tendency to misuse provisions like Section 498A of the IPC as a tool for unleashing personal vendetta against the husband and his family by a wife”….
To every woman: wielding these laws as weapons of retaliation, rather than tools of justice, risks silencing the very voices these statutes were designed to amplify. Your fight for dignity must not come at the cost of another’s dignity. Stand with integrity, for when lies muddy the waters of truth, the most vulnerable drown. Let’s protect these laws fiercely—not by exploiting them, but by honoring their purpose: to uplift, not destroy. Only then can we ensure that every cry for help is heard, believed, and answered.
Your survival is your revolution. And it starts today.
This article is not just a message—it’s a call to action. Share it, shout it, and let every woman know: She is not alone.
Recent Case Laws on Domestic Violence Act
Vishal Shah v Monalisha Gupta on February 2025
Facts of the Case
The Marriage between the parties took place on 19th February 2018 and didn’t take off well from the beginning. The parties cohabited with each other for a short duration of 80 days without any cordiality, love or affection. Post 80 days husband has been residing in USA and wife in India. Both the parties had filed numerous cases against each other reflecting their ongoing conflict which had extended to their family members as well. Despite mediation all efforts in reconciling the parties had failed.
The Judicial Magistrate Court, Howrah had ordered for impounding of Appellant’s (Husband) passport stating his presence required for the proceedings in the DV Act. The same was upheld by the High Court.
Decision given by the Supreme Court:
- There is no requirement for the personal presence of any party in the proceedings under the DV Act, because they are quasi-criminal in nature and do not entail any penal consequences except when there is a breach of protection order, which is the only offence provided under Section 31 of the DV Act.
- The appelant’s absence was due to his passport being impounded, a circumstance beyond his control.
- The High Court passed a non-speaking order upholding the trial court’s decision
- The impounding of the passport was declared ex-facie illegal and against principles of natural justice as the appellant was not granted a hearing.
- Prolonged separation, failed reconciliation attempts, multiple litigations, mutual hostility, short cohabitation were considered to state that there is irretrievable breakdown of the marriage between the parties and the Apex court using it’s power under Article 142(1) dissolved the marriage.
2. Nandini L M v Devaraj P on 6 March 2025
Facts of the Case:
The Appellant (wife) was married to the Respondent (Husband) in November 2004. Two children were born out of this wedlock. The husband and his family was harassing the wife mentally and physically demanding dowry. Subsequently husband married another woman illegally. When wife questioned, she and her two children were beaten up mercilessly. They were thrown out of the house without food and shelter being provided. The husband filed Divorce case. The wife filed a petition under Domestic Violence Act seeking maintenance of Rs. 1,50,000/- The trial court had ordered Rs. 5000/- per month as the maintenance.
Decision by the LIX Addl City Civil & Sessions Judge, Bangalore City
The court ordered the husband to pay the wife and two children, Rupees 10,000/- per month for their livelihood. Also the respondent was directed to provide the accommodation to the wife and 2 children in one of the five houses that he has constructed in RT Nagar, Bangalore.
3. S Vijikumari v Mowneshwarachari C on 10 September 2024
Facts of the Case:
The Appellant (wife) filed a petition under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (in short DV Act or Domestic Violence Act, 2005), securing orders from the Magistrate directing the respondent (husband) to pay Rs. 12,000/ monthly as maintenance and Rs. 1,00,000/- as compensation. The husband did not adduce any evidence in these proceedings and later filed an appeal U/s 29 of the DV Act, which was dismissed due to the delay in filing the appeal. This rendered the original orders to be final and unchallenged. Subsequently the husband sought modification/ variation of the orders u/s 25 of the DV Act, which was dismissed by the Magistrate. The husband appealed that order as per Section 29, which was allowed, where the Magistrate was directed to reconsider the Application under Section 25 and to permit both the parties to lead evidence. The wife challeged this order through Criminal Revision before the High Court, which was dismissed. The aggrieved wife approached Supreme Court contesting the lower court’s order to reopen the case despite the original maintenance and compensation orders attaining finality.
Decision by the Supreme Court:
The court emphasized that the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (DV Act) is a civil law applicable to all women in India, irrespective of religion or social background.
To apply Section 25 of the DV Act, change in Circumstance is required. For modifying, altering or revoking an existing order under Section 25 (2), there must be a change in the circumstances occurring after the original order was passed.
The respondent’s plea was rejected because
- No Retrospective Effect: Orders under Section 12 seeking reliefs like Maintenance, protection, etc. cannot be revoked for circumstances pre-dating the original orders.
- Post-Order Change Essential: Alteration requires proof of new developments post the original order, not the pre-existing conditions.
Advocate Kiran S R – A highly skilled, passionate, dedicated advocate, with vast wealth of knowledge, professionalism, ethical approach and expert skills. One of the sharpest legal mindset brings the best principles of legal practice to the forefront. A qualified Engineer turned Advocate. His passion, dedication and vision to help and assist his clients achieve the best results is his driving force.
