Answer By law4u team
Yes, financial control by a husband can be treated as domestic violence under Indian law, even in modern frameworks. Let me explain clearly. Domestic violence is not just physical abuse; it includes emotional, economic, and psychological abuse. One of the key modern laws that deal with this is the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) 2005, which is often applied today under acts like BNS/BNSS frameworks in certain modern interpretations, though these are updated schemes or guidelines for enforcement. Under this law, economic or financial abuse is explicitly recognized as a form of domestic violence. Examples include: Preventing the wife from accessing money or household finances. Controlling all her earnings or refusing to provide money for basic needs. Forcing her to be financially dependent and denying independence. Selling or disposing of property without her consent. If a husband does any of these, it can legally be considered domestic violence, and the wife can: File a complaint under domestic violence provisions. Seek protection orders or maintenance through the court. Request compensation for the economic abuse suffered. So yes, financial control alone, if it causes harm, dependence, or distress, qualifies as domestic violence. Modern enforcement emphasizes not just physical harm but also financial and emotional well-being.
