HC Says Muslim Women Also Covered Under Domestic Violence Act

The Bombay High Court has said Muslim women too are covered under the Domestic Violence Act, reported TOI.

The HC said that although Muslim marriages are governed by their personal laws, it cannot stop women from seeking relief under the Domestic Violence Act 2005. The court stated that Muslim women can seek relief like monthly maintenance, custody of children and accommodation as per the DV Act.

The HC said the Domestic Violence Act does not exclude Muslim women

In a particular case, Justice Bharati Dangre dismissed a Mumbai-based Muslim man’s plea on this issue. The HC upheld a family court’s order concerning the case. The family court had ordered the man to pay Rs 1.05 lakh as monthly maintenance for his wife and two children.

The man said they belong to the “Islamic Alvi Bohra Community”, governed by the Muslim Personal Law, so the anti-domestic violence law was not applicable to them