Smt Archana v. State of U.P. and Another
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 – Section 2(f) 'domestic relationship'
Case brief
What is this about?
Allahabad High Court, CRLR No. 869 of 2024 (decided 20.8.2025, Madan Pal Singh, J.). Issue: whether a maternal father-in-law (mamiya sasur) falls within Section 2(f) 'domestic relationship' (related by consanguinity, marriage, relationship in nature of marriage, adoption, or family members living together as joint family) under the PWDV Act, 2005. Held: he does not, being incapable of consideration as a family member of the husband; allegations against him not directly established; appellate order dated 22.01.2024 allowing discharge appeal upheld; criminal revision dismissed. Keywords: mamiya sasur; maternal father-in-law; shared household; joint family; discharge application paper no. 10 B; Sections 12, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23 & 29 PWDV Act; Mathura.
What did the court decide?
A maternal father-in-law (mamiya sasur) cannot be considered a family member of the husband of the revisionist as provided under Section 2(f) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, and therefore does not fall within the definition/category of 'domestic relationship'.