Question

Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the definition of "domestic relationship" includes:

• A. Only married couples
• B. Couples with marriage certificate
• C. Only nuclear family relationships
• D. Married and extended family relationships

Hint:

A key innovation of the PWDVA is its wide definition of both "domestic violence" (covering physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse) and "domestic relationship" (covering married, live-in, and extended family members). This ensures a wider net of protection.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The PWDVA, 2005, has a very broad and inclusive definition of "domestic relationship" to cover various living arrangements where violence can occur. This is a key feature of the Act.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Section 2(f) of the Act defines "domestic relationship" as a relationship between two persons who live or have, at any point of time, lived together in a shared household, when they are related by consanguinity (blood), marriage, or through a relationship in the nature of marriage, adoption or are family members living together as a joint family.

This definition is extremely wide. It includes not just the husband, but also his relatives (in-laws).
It covers relationships by blood (e.g., father, brother), adoption (e.g., adoptive father), and relationships "in the nature of marriage" (e.g., live-in relationships).
Therefore, it goes far beyond just married couples or nuclear families and explicitly includes extended family relationships within a shared household.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The definition of "domestic relationship" under the PWDVA is comprehensive, including relationships by marriage as well as those within the extended family who live or have lived in a shared household.