Even though the number of ‘reported crimes’ against women are increasing at an alarming rate and considering the fact that in our patriarchal society more crimes are being committed than are reported,social activists, feminists and several non-governmental organisations have persistently demanded bringing amendments to the present criminal laws and if needed, also to enact specialised legislations.īefore the introduction of ‘The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill, 2000’, several other amendments and new laws were introduced such as the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and the Criminal Laws Amendment Act, 1983 – which specifically worked towards improving the laws that govern domestic violence against women. Reported Crimes Against Women” – Year 1999-2000: 1,55,553 Year 2005: 1,41,373 Year 2010: 2,13,585 Year 2013: 2,95,930.On perusing the above data it can be seen that, crimes which are committed within the four walls of a woman’s house are categorised under merely two heads, namely – Homicide for Dowry/Dowry Deaths or their attempts (Section 302/304-B IPC) and Torture, both mental and physical (Section 498-A IPC).

A 2nd year student of W.B.N.U.J.S, Kolkata

The domestic violence act 2005