Hiral P. Harsora And Ors vs Kusum Narottamdas Harsora And Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the constitutional validity of Section 2(q) of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, affirming the Bombay High Court's interpretation that allows complaints against female relatives of an adult male respondent in domestic violence cases. The Court held that the definition of 'respondent' should be read in conjunction with other relevant definitions in the Act, thereby permitting complaints against daughters-in-law, sisters, and other female relatives when filed alongside a complaint against an adult male. The judgment clarified that such a reading is essential to uphold the intent of the legislation in protecting women from domestic violence.