Delhi Court Upholds Dismissal of Domestic Violence Claims Amid Evidence Gaps

In a significant legal development, a Delhi court has dismissed a woman's appeal challenging a previous order that rejected her complaint under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. The ruling was given by Additional Sessions Judge Sheetal Chaudhary Pradhan, who asserted that legal protections can't be afforded to those exploiting the Domestic Violence Act with unproven allegations.

Key to the court's decision was the absence of supporting evidence to substantiate the woman's claims of harassment, beating, and mental cruelty by her husband and his relatives. The court noted the lack of medical documents, photographs, or corroborative independent witnesses, further highlighting that the complainant had not informed law enforcement about the alleged abuses.

The order highlighted discrepancies in the complainant's narrative, including contradictions regarding her age at the time of marriage, which cast doubt on her credibility. Emphasizing that the Domestic Violence Act serves as beneficial legislation, the judge reiterated that its misuse with exaggerated claims is detrimental to its purpose, leading to the dismissal of the appeal.