The enactment of special legislation such as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, was necessitated by the inadequacies of earlier laws in addressing the specific issues of torture, cruelty, and harassment faced by women. While provisions like sections 498A and 304B of the Indian Penal Code and the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 offered some protection, they were deemed insufficient to address the pervasive nature of domestic violence.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, represents a concerted effort by the Indian government to provide comprehensive legal recourse to women facing domestic violence. By specifically targeting domestic violence and extending protection to women and girls, the Act seeks to address the multifaceted challenges posed by such violence.

In this revised edition, the commentary on the Act has been updated to reflect legal and judicial developments in the protection of women from domestic violence. By incorporating recent legal and judicial developments, the edition aims to provide practitioners and stakeholders with an updated understanding of the legal framework and its application in safeguarding the rights of women.