Dowry Case & Domestic Violence Lawyer in Delhi NCR — Section 498A / 85 BNS Legal Help at Your Doorstep
Dowry harassment and domestic cruelty are serious offences under Indian law — and among the most emotionally devastating situations a family can face. Whether you are a wife who has suffered dowry demands and cruelty at the hands of your husband or his family, or you are a husband or family member facing a dowry complaint and need to protect your legal rights — AdvocateJunction provides confidential, experienced legal support at your doorstep in Delhi NCR. We handle both sides of dowry cases with complete professionalism and confidentiality.
Dowry and domestic violence cases are among the most sensitive in Indian family law. They often involve immediate safety concerns, potential arrest, and deep family trauma on all sides. AdvocateJunction's advocates do not take these cases lightly. Your advocate comes to your home, listens to your complete situation without judgment, explains your legal options honestly, and builds a strategy that protects your rights — whether you are the complainant or the accused.
Our advocates have handled hundreds of dowry and domestic violence cases across Delhi family courts and criminal courts. Complete confidentiality is guaranteed. WhatsApp us on 9818900704 for a free, confidential 30-minute consultation within 24 hours.
What is Section 498A / Section 85 BNS?
Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code — now replaced by Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 — deals with cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a wife. It is a cognisable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable offence. This means police can arrest without a warrant, bail is not automatic, and the case cannot be withdrawn by mutual consent once filed. The offence is punishable with imprisonment up to 3 years and a fine.
WHAT CONSTITUTES CRUELTY UNDER SECTION 85 BNS
The law defines cruelty as:
- Any conduct that drives the wife to commit suicide or causes grave injury to her life, limb, or health.
- Harassment of the wife to coerce her or her relatives to meet unlawful demands for property or valuable security (dowry demands).
- Physical violence, mental torture, and emotional abuse.
- Denial of basic necessities, isolation, and threats.
| Law | What it Covers |
|---|---|
| Section 85 BNS (formerly 498A IPC) | Cruelty by husband or his relatives — criminal offence |
| Section 86 BNS (formerly 304B IPC) | Dowry death — applies if a woman dies within 7 years of marriage under suspicious circumstances |
| Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 | Civil remedies including protection orders, residence orders, and compensation — can be filed independently or alongside criminal complaints |
| Sections 3 & 4, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 | Giving or taking dowry is a separate punishable offence with imprisonment |
| Sections 80–84 BNS (formerly 420, 406 IPC) | Cheating and criminal breach of trust — applicable in cases involving non-return of stridhan (wife’s property) |
How AdvocateJunction Handles Dowry Cases
FOR THE COMPLAINANT (WIFE / HER FAMILY)
If you are facing dowry harassment or domestic violence:
-
Step 1 — WhatsApp or Call Us
Free confidential consultation. Share your situation — including nature of cruelty, injuries, threats, or dowry demands. Your safety is the first priority. -
Step 2 — Immediate Risk Assessment
Your advocate assesses whether urgent protection is required, including a Domestic Violence protection order, police complaint, or both simultaneously. -
Step 3 — Case Preparation & Guidance
The advocate visits your home or a safe location, reviews evidence, prepares complaints, and guides you through FIR filing and Domestic Violence application procedures. -
Step 4 — Full Legal Representation
The advocate represents you throughout the entire process — FIR, chargesheet, trial, compensation orders, and recovery of stridhan.
FOR THE ACCUSED (HUSBAND / HIS FAMILY)
FOR THE COMPLAINANT (WIFE / HER FAMILY)
If a 498A / Section 85 BNS case has been filed against you:
-
Step 1 — WhatsApp or Call Us
Free confidential consultation. Share your situation — including nature of cruelty, injuries, threats, or dowry demands. Your safety is the first priority. -
Step 2 — Immediate Risk Assessment
Your advocate assesses whether urgent protection is required, including a Domestic Violence protection order, police complaint, or both simultaneously. -
Step 3 — Case Preparation & Guidance
The advocate visits your home or a safe location, reviews evidence, prepares complaints, and guides you through FIR filing and Domestic Violence application procedures. -
Step 4 — Full Legal Representation
The advocate represents you throughout the entire process — FIR, chargesheet, trial, compensation orders, and recovery of stridhan.
Important for the accused: Section 85 BNS is non-bailable — bail is not automatic. Applying for anticipatory bail immediately after learning of a complaint is critical. Our advocates file anticipatory bail applications on priority.
Documents & Evidence
FOR THE COMPLAINANT
| Evidence / Document | Importance |
|---|---|
| Medical reports of injuries | Critical — documents physical abuse |
| Photographs of injuries | Strong evidence — should be taken immediately after any incident |
| Screenshots of threatening messages, calls | Digital evidence — must be saved immediately and shared with the advocate |
| List of dowry items given at marriage | For stridhan recovery — includes wedding photographs, receipts, and witness statements |
| Witnesses — family or neighbours | Advocate guides on relevant witnesses and how to prepare their statements |
| Marriage certificate | Establishes the legal marriage relationship |
| Any prior police complaints or NCW complaints | Shows history or pattern of harassment |
FOR THE ACCUSED
| Document / Evidence | Why Needed |
|---|---|
| All communications with wife — messages, emails | To demonstrate the absence of cruelty, harassment, or unlawful demands. |
| Financial records | To show that no unreasonable financial demands were made and to provide context regarding financial arrangements. |
| Evidence of wife's own conduct | If relevant to the specific allegations, it may help provide a complete factual picture of the dispute. |
| Character witnesses | Neighbours, colleagues, friends, or family members who can speak about your conduct and behaviour. |
| Any settlement agreements or correspondence | Can demonstrate prior good-faith efforts to resolve disputes amicably. |
| Prior orders or proceedings | Any existing court orders, police records, or related legal proceedings that may be relevant to the case. |
Domestic Violence Act — Separate but Related
The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 (PWDVA) provides civil remedies that can be claimed alongside or separately from the criminal 498A / 85 BNS complaint. Key remedies under PWDVA:
| Remedy | What it means |
|---|---|
| Protection Order | Court directs the abuser to stop all acts of violence and contact. |
| Residence Order | Wife's right to continue living in the matrimonial home — even if it belongs to husband or in-laws. |
| Monetary Relief | Compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and damage to property caused by violence. |
| Custody Order | Temporary custody of children during domestic violence proceedings. |
| Compensation Order | Financial compensation for mental trauma and suffering. |
PWDVA proceedings are civil — they are faster than criminal proceedings and provide immediate practical relief. Our advocates often file PWDVA applications alongside or before the criminal complaint to secure the wife's safety and residence immediately.
Fees & Pricing
First 30-minute consultation is always free — completely confidential.
| Service | Fee | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Doorstep Consultation | ₹999 per meeting | 45-minute in-person case assessment at your location. Complete confidentiality. Written legal advice within 24 hours. |
| Anticipatory Bail Application (for accused) | Discussed after consultation | Urgent application before Sessions Court or High Court. Filed within 24–48 hours where needed. |
| DV Application / FIR Support (for complainant) | Discussed after consultation | Domestic Violence application, FIR filing support, and protection orders. |
| Full Case Representation | Discussed after consultation | All court hearings, chargesheet response, and trial representation. Fee based on case complexity and quoted transparently. |
| FIR Quashing Petition (High Court) | Discussed after consultation | Where an FIR is false or exaggerated, petition before the Delhi High Court for quashing. |
All fees discussed transparently. No advance payment without written scope. No hidden charges. Sensitive financial arrangements respected.
Why Choose AdvocateJunction?
- We handle both sides — complainant and accused — with equal professionalism and confidentiality.
- Immediate action on urgent matters — anticipatory bail and DV protection orders filed within 24–48 hours.
- Doorstep service — advocate comes to your home, not a public office where you risk being seen.
- Complete confidentiality — case details are never shared with third parties.
- Experienced in Delhi criminal courts, family courts, and High Court proceedings.
- First 30-minute consultation always free — understand your position before committing.
- Honest advice — we tell you what is realistic, not what you want to hear.
- WhatsApp updates after every significant development in your case.
Related Services
| Related Service | URL | Why Relevant |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Help for Women | /legal-help-for-women/ | Comprehensive legal support for women — protection, maintenance, custody, and rights. |
| Divorce | /divorce/ | Dowry cases often run alongside divorce proceedings — both need coordinated legal strategy. |
| Maintenance | /maintenance/ | Emergency maintenance for wife and children during dowry/DV proceedings. |
| Child Custody | /child-custody/ | Custody of children during and after domestic violence cases. |
Facing a dowry or domestic violence case in Delhi NCR?
Whether you need protection or defence — our verified advocates provide confidential doorstep legal support across Delhi NCR. First 30-minute consultation is free. WhatsApp us now and we will respond within 24 hours.