Mental harassment

Dear Sir,

You have a right to seek relief under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. Under this law, a wife can approach the jurisdictional Magistrate and seek protection orders against her husband and in-laws, restraining them from committing acts of harassment, intimidation, abuse, or contacting and threatening her family members. The court can also grant residence orders, monetary relief, compensation for mental torture, and other appropriate directions depending upon the facts of the case.

If your husband and his relatives are repeatedly abusing you over the phone, making false accusations, threatening to file false police complaints, or causing severe emotional distress, it is advisable to preserve evidence. Save text messages, WhatsApp chats, call recordings (where legally permissible), emails, and details of witnesses who have heard the abusive language. If they are calling your mother and abusing or threatening her, she should also maintain records of such calls and messages.

Dear client,
Continuous abuse, humiliation, threats, use of filthy language, interference by in-laws, and constant mental pressure can amount to mental cruelty and domestic violence under Indian law, especially when it affects your health, sleep, and peace of mind.

You can seek protection under:

1. Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 — for verbal, emotional, and mental abuse, protection orders, residence rights, maintenance, and compensation;

2. Section 85 and section 86 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (earlier IPC 498A) — where cruelty or harassment is caused by husband or his relatives;

3. Section 125 CrPC / Section 144 BNSS — for maintenance, if applicable.


Mental cruelty is also a recognised ground for divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

You should preserve messages, call recordings, medical records, and other evidence of harassment. If the conduct continues, you can approach the police, Women’s Cell, Protection Officer, or Family Court.
For further legal guidance contact an Advocate.