The Domestic Violence Act was implemented in India on Oct 26th, 2006

The Indian version of this law is unique because it explicitly excludes male victims from protection and effectively states that only a woman can file a case against a man. The law gives unbridled power to women and lacks any checks and balances to prevent or discourage the misuse of the law. The official draft of the law is available here.

This law has been summarily criticized since its inception. A Hindustan Times Survey found that xxx% of people felt that it will be misused. A Times of India Survey discovered that xxx% of people thought that it will be misused.

The judiciary has also found fault with the law, with Hon'ble Supreme Court calling it "clumsily drafted" and the Delhi High Court remarking that the DV Act will go the way of the anti-dowry law 498a, which as per the court's opinion is the most legally abused section of Indian Penal Code.