A landmark bill that seeks to deter domestic violence in all forms against women by providing for punishment up to one year in jail for culprits was on Monday introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill, 2005, introduced by Minister of State for Human Resource Development Kanti Singh, defines the expression 'domestic violence' to include actual abuse or threat of abuse - physical, sexual, verbal, emotional or economic violence.
Harassment like unlawful dowry demands would also be covered under this definition.
A magistrate can pass protection orders in favour of the aggrieved person.
Breach of protection order by the respondent shall be an offence and shall be punishable with imprisonment, which may extend to one year or fine, which may extend to Rs 20,000 or with both.
The magistrate can prevent the respondent from entering a workplace or any other place frequented by the aggrieved person, attempting to communicate with her, isolating any assets used by both the parties and causing violence to the aggrieved person, her relatives or others who provide her assistance from domestic violence.