Date:09/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/09/stories/2008040956640400.htm

New Delhi

Plea to quash Domestic Violence Act dismissed

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking quashing of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

The petitioner, Aruna Parmod Shah, had sought quashing of the Act on the ground that it was ultra vires the Constitution because it offended Article 14, providing protection only to women.

Dismissing the plea, a Division Bench of the Court comprising Justice Vikramjit Sen and Justice P.K. Bhasin said it was devoid of any merit.

The Court also dismissed another argument by the petitioner that married persons should be placed on a different platform from those who are in a relationship in the nature of marriage.

Mistress at par with wife

“We find no reason why equal treatment should not be accorded to the wife as well those who have been living with a man as his common-law wife or even as a mistress,” the Bench said.