In a significant ruling, a sessions court in Mumbai has increased the domestic violence compensation granted to a 41-year-old woman from ₹5 lakh to ₹1 crore, observing that her husband was “rolling in money” and had subjected her to decades of abuse.

The judgment was passed last month by Additional Sessions Judge S J Ansari at the Dindoshi Court, enhancing the compensation originally awarded by a magistrate in February 2020 under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

Court Slams Meagre Compensation

The court ruled that the initial ₹5 lakh compensation was “too meagre”, especially considering the woman had endured 20 years of physical, emotional, and economic abuse at the hands of her husband and in-laws. “The same requires a very substantial enhancement so as to actually compensate the complainant,” the court said.

The woman had challenged the earlier magistrate order, calling it unjust, while her husband contended that she did not deserve any compensation and claimed he was facing financial hardship.

Husband’s Wealth Undeniable, Says Court

However, the court dismissed the husband’s claims of financial distress, noting that he runs an elevator company and had the financial capacity to purchase land and a flat worth more than ₹1 crore in 2012 itself.

“On the other hand, he being in a position to purchase properties worth ₹1 crore in 2012, and presently running an elevator company, will surely be rolling in money,” the court observed.

It further added that the man and his father were clearly “crorepatis”, and that the earlier compensation amount failed to reflect the economic abuse and lifestyle the woman had to forego due to domestic violence.

Monthly Maintenance Also Raised

In addition to the enhanced lump-sum compensation, the monthly maintenance granted to the woman and her daughter was increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹1.5 lakh. This was justified on the basis of continued financial deprivation, as well as the physical and mental trauma faced by the complainant over two decades.

“The physical and mental torture endured by the woman while living with her husband can scarcely be imagined,” the court said.

20 Years of Abuse Detailed

The woman, who has been a housewife since her marriage in December 1997, told the court that she had suffered regular beatings, emotional humiliation, taunts, and financial control throughout her marital life. These allegations were corroborated by documents and testimonies presented during the trial.

The sessions court remarked that the woman had approached the legal system only as a last resort after enduring multiple forms of domestic abuse for nearly 20 years.

Husband's Defence Rejected

The husband had attempted to portray himself as the victim of his wife’s behaviour, stating that he now bears all financial responsibilities for the household, including rent and educational expenses of their twin sons. He claimed that these expenses left him with nothing to spare.

The court, however, refused to accept this narrative, stating that the man’s financial records and past property transactions contradicted his current claims.

He failed to provide concrete evidence of financial distress, despite what the court described as trying his “level best” to prove otherwise.

Estrangement from Sons Also Noted

The court also made a noteworthy observation about the woman’s estrangement from her two sons, who currently live with the father. The judge remarked that the husband “appears to have influenced” the sons against their mother, which adds another layer of emotional pain to the victim’s plight.

“This is also something which cannot be ignored,” the court stated, acknowledging the emotional consequences of separation from her children as part of the damage suffered.

A Landmark Judgement for Domestic Abuse Survivors

This ruling is being seen as a strong message from the judiciary that economic power cannot shield perpetrators of domestic violence from accountability. Legal experts say it underlines the importance of considering the financial status of the abuser while awarding compensation and maintenance.

Women’s rights activists welcomed the judgment, stating it sets a powerful precedent for recognising long-term emotional and economic abuse in domestic settings.

The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, provides civil remedies such as compensation, residence rights, and protection orders to women facing abuse — and this judgment could be seen as an example of how these legal protections can be enforced meaningfully.

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