RIGHTS OF WOMEN AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

464 Pages·2013·26.94 MB·English

by  Anuja S

RRIIGGHHTTSS OOFF WWOOMMEENN AAGGAAIINNSSTT DDOOMMEESSTTIICC VVIIOOLLEENNCCEE--
TTHHEE LLAAWW AANNDD EEMMEERRGGIINNGG CCHHAALLLLEENNGGEESS

Thesis submitted to the
CCoocchhiinn UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff SScciieennccee aanndd TTeecchhnnoollooggyy
for the award of the degree of
DDooccttoorr ooff PPhhiilloossoopphhyy
in the Faculty of Law

By
SS.. AAnnuujjaa

Under the Supervision of
PPrrooff.. ((DDrr..)) DD.. RRaajjeeeevv

SCHOOL OF LEGAL STUDIES
COCHIN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
KOCHI-682 022, ERNAKULAM, KERALA

August 2013
Dedicated to -
Late Capt. M.V.R. Varier (my grandfather),
Professor T. Devidas (my mentor),
Professor T.V.Subba Rao (my friend, philosopher and guide),
P. Vijayalakshmi (my mother),
P.V. Sreedharan (my father) and
Bharath (my son)
SScchhooooll ooff LLeeggaall SSttuuddiieess
CCoocchhiinn UUnniivveerrssiittyy ooff SScciieennccee aanndd TTeecchhnnoollooggyy
KKoocchhii –– 668822 002222,, KKeerraallaa,, IInnddiiaa

Prof. (Dr.) D. Rajeev Ph : 04842575465 (Office)
Professor (Retd.) : 04842576070(Home)
Mob : 9446496070
Email : [email protected]

This is to certify that thesis titled “Rights of Women against Domestic
Violence - The Law and Emerging Challenges” submitted by Smt. S. Anuja for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy under the Faculty of Law is the record of bona fide
research carried out under my guidance and supervision in the School of Legal
Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi-22. This thesis or any
part thereof has not been submitted elsewhere for any other degree

Kochi -22 Prof. (Dr.) D. Rajeev
12th August 2013 (Supervising Guide)
I declare that the thesis titled-“Rights of Women against Domestic Violence
-The Law and Emerging Challenges” is the record of bona fide research carried out
by me in the School of Legal Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology,
Kochi-22. I further declare that this has not previously formed the basis of the
award of any degree, diploma or associateship or other similar title of recognition.

Kochi-22 S. Anuja
12th August 2013
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the guidance of my supervising teacher,
Professor D. Rajeev, Former Director, School of Legal Studies, Cochin University of
Science and Technology. I record my deep felt gratitude towards him for the pains he has
taken to read and correct the draft of my thesis.
I express my sincere gratitude to Professor A.M. Varkey for giving me insights
as to the different stages of the research. Dr. N.S. Soman, the present Director, School of
Legal Studies in spite of his busy schedule helped me a lot in completing the work in
time. I am greatly indebted to him in giving me valuable insights in the field of human
rights. I express my gratitude to Professor N.S. Gopalakrishnan and Dr. V. S.Sebastian,
Former Directors, of this School and other Members of the Faculty of School of Legal
Studies, CUSAT for their valuable support and motivation.
I am deeply grateful to Professor. V.D. Sebastian, Adjunct Professor, KIITS
Bhubaneswar, Professor R. Venkata Rao, Vice Chancellor, National Law School of
India University, Bangalore, Professor V.S. Mallar, Professor B. B. Pande, Delhi
University and Professor Sitaram Kakraala Visiting Professors, National law School
of India University, Bangalore in helping me to maintain the focus of the study. I
express profound gratitude to Professor Doughlas E. Beloof, Lewis &Clerk Law
School with whom I shared a class lecture on the topic and for encouraging and
guiding me with the insights on the topic from Western jurisdictions.
I am also thankful to the Librarian and staff of School of Legal Studies
Library, the Librarian and staff of National Law School Library, Bangalore for all the
help they have extended. I am indebted towards all the research scholars and my
colleagues at School of Legal Studies for their immense support and encouragement.
Visits made to Sakhi, and Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum, High Court
Library, Kerala proved to be very helpful in locating the materials and I extend my
sincere heartfelt gratitude for the same. I gratefully acknowledge Indu Offset Printing
at Kalamassery, Kochi in getting this work neatly printed.
I place on record my profound gratitude towards my parents, my son and well
wishers for their blessings and support. I am grateful to Professor T. Devidas and
Professor T.V. Subba Rao who stood with me in thick and thin for coaxing me through
all my hesitations with moral support and suggestions for improvement.
I cannot forget the help and support rendered to me in person and in kind by
Anitha O.S, Research Scholar, School of Legal Studies, CUSAT, and Dr. Lovely
Varghese, Head of the Department of Hindi, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Naval Base who are
more than sisters to me. I am thankful to all others who directly or indirectly helped me
to complete this work.
I owe my work to my grandfather Late Capt. M.V.R. Varier who is no more
with me physically but whose words and deeds guide me from heaven. Above all, I
acknowledge the grace of Lord Almighty, without whose blessings this work would
ever have materialised.

Anuja S.
PREFACE
Domestic violence is a gender based violation of human rights having
multi- dimensional repercussions in the well- being of individuals in family
and society. The Indian legislation to protect the women from domestic
violence is significant in providing a mechanism for enforcing positive civil
rights of protection and injunction orders to the victims of domestic violence
along with the existing remedies of criminal sanctions. However the Act was
brought in the backdrop of an established tradition of cohesive and stable
family setting. This, in turn, results in the emergence of new issues and
challenges which necessitates deeper understandings of indigenous socio-
cultural institutions in India i.e., marriage and family. This study is an attempt
to analyse the Indian law on domestic violence and to assess whether the law
addresses and answers the problems of domestic violence effectively in the
culture specific setting of India.
The thesis consists of nine chapters. The first chapter is an introduction
to the various concepts relating to the study. Objectives of the study,
hypothesis, research questions and scope and limitations of the study are dealt
with in this chapter. It analyses different theories explaining the causative
factors of domestic violence against women. Causes of domestic violence in
the Indian context are also examined.
The focus of the second chapter is on the historical and philosophical
perceptions on gender inequality in the Western and Indian society. It contains
the philosophical overviews of Greek, Natural Law, Common Law,
Utilitarianism, Marxism and Feminism. These theories are analysed to identify
and understand the role and status conferred on the woman in the society. The
dominant Indian thinking originating from Hindu texts, the teachings of
Christianity and Qur’an are also analysed in this chapter.
The third chapter discusses the human rights perspectives of domestic
violence against women. The human rights jurisprudence comprising of
International Conventions, Treaties and case laws are analysed to find out the
significant contribution made by the European Court of Human Rights and
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Inter-American Commission of Human Rights in bringing out the state’s
accountability in cases related to domestic violence.
A comparative study of western jurisdictions i.e., U.S.A and U.K is
undertaken in the fourth chapter. It discusses the legislations and multi-agency
responses in USA and UK, in addressing the legal strategies resorted to by
them in dealing with the issue.
A critical analysis of the pre-2005scenario relating to the legal
protection offered against domestic violence in India is the topic covered under
the fifth chapter. The mandates of the Constitution of India, civil and criminal
law remedies, statuary offences relating to domestic violence etc., are
discussed in this chapter to understand the limitations and inadequacies felt in
the system.
The sixth chapter is an appraisal of the Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act 2005. The scope and the extent of the Act, the concepts
envisaged therein, the role of implementation machinery, the reliefs
guaranteed, the procedures involved and the consequences of breaching of
orders made under the Act are the main focus of the chapter
The seventh chapter is an evaluation of the judicial interpretations on
various provisions of the Act. It comprises of questions relating to the
constitutionality of the Act, rights of women in relationships in the nature of
marriage, right to matrimonial residence, woman as a respondent, interpretation
of procedural requirements etc., which are discussed with a view to tracing the
judicial wisdom in realising the objectives of the Act.
Various unresolved issues and challenges that have emerged in the
course of implementation of the Act are the topics discussed under the eighth
chapter. Conceptual disarrays, procedural dichotomies and deficiencies in the
Act are critically analysed in the chapter.
The ninth chapter summarizes the findings and conclusions of the study.
Certain proposals are placed at the end of the chapter leading to the need for
change in the system.
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Contents
Chapter 1Introduction ............................................................................... 1
1.1General Understandings of Violence and Domestic Violence ................. 3
1.2 Specific Understanding of Domestic Violence ....................................... 7
1.3 Understandings as to Causes of Domestic Violence and Some
Explanatory Models ............................................................................. 8
1.4 Causes of Domestic Violence in the Indian Context ............................. 12
1.5 Indian and Western Concepts on Familial Relationships ...................... 16
1.6 Objectives of the Study .......................................................................... 20
1.7 Hypotheses .............................................................................................. 20
1.8 Research Questions ................................................................................. 21
1.9 Methodology ........................................................................................... 22
1.10 Scope and Limitation of the Study ....................................................... 22
Chapter 2 Historical Perceptions on the Concept of Domestic
Violence against Women-Indian and Western
Overview ............................................................................24
2.1 Gender inequality-Philosophical Underpinnings on Roles, Rights
and Domestic Violence ......................................................................... 27
2.1.1 The Greek Philosophy ............................................................................. 28
2.1.2 The Natural Law Thinking ................................................................... 31
2.1.3 The Social Contract Thinking ................................................................ 31
2.1.4 The Enlightenment Thinking ................................................................. 33
2.1.5 The Utilitarian Thinking ....................................................................... 33
2.1.6 The Marxist Thinking ............................................................................ 34
2.1.7 The Teachings of Christianity ................................................................ 35
2.1.8 The Common Law Thinking ................................................................... 36
2.1.9 The Feminist Theories ............................................................................ 38
2.2 Ideological Perceptions on Women in Domestic Relations-The
Indian Scenario .................................................................................... 42
2.2.1 The Hindu Texts on Woman’s Dharma ................................................. 43
2.2.2 The Christian Teachings and its Reflections .......................................... 49
2.2.3 The teachings of Qur’an ......................................................................... 50
Conclusion .................................................................................................... 53
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Chapter 3 The Nature of Domestic Violence – A Human Rights
Discourse .................................................................................. 55
3.1 International Human Rights Responses to Domestic Violence in the
Context of Sex Equality and Sex Discrimination. ...................................... 62
3.2 Exploring the Internationalizing Elements of Domestic Violence .............. 63
3.3 International Concern and Standards on Family and Domestic
Violence ....................................................................................................... 67
3.4 Domestic Violence in International Law - Historical Overview and
Status Quo ................................................................................................... 71
3.4.1. 1946: Commission on the Status of Women ......................................... 72
3.4.2. 1975: First World Conference on Women in Mexico City, Mexico ........... 73
3.4.3. 1979: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women ................................................................. 73
3.4.4. 1985: UN Resolution ........................................................................... 75
3.4.5. 1990: UN Resolution ........................................................................... 77
3.4.6. 1992: General Recommendation Number 19 ........................................ 77
3.4.7. 1980: Second World Conference on Women, Copenhagen ................... 79
3.4.8. 1985: Third World Conference on Women, Nairobi ............................ 79
3.4.9. 1993: World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna ........................... 80
3.4.10. 1993: The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against
Women ......................................................................................................... 81
3.4.11. 1995: Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action ......................... 82
3.4.12. 2000: The CEDAW Optional Protocol .............................................. 84
3.4.13. 2000: UN General Comment No.28 ................................................... 89
3.4.14. 2004: General Assembly Resolution on the Elimination of
Domestic Violence against Women ..................................................... 91
3.4.15. 1994-2009: Reports of the Special Rapporteur on Violence
against Women, Its Causes and Consequences.................................... 92
3.5 Regional Legal and Policy Instruments and Jurisprudence
Relating to Domestic Violence ............................................................. 95
3.6 Analyses of Landmark Decisions on Domestic Violence in Courts
Around the World ................................................................................ 98
3.7 India’s Obligations under International Human Rights Treaties .................... 109
Conclusion .................................................................................................... 113
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