Response

You can file a complaint against your mother in law under domestic violence.

Domestic violence is violence committed by someone in the victim’s domestic circle. This includes partners and ex-partners, immediate family members, mother/ father in-laws, other relatives and family friends.
You can file a case against the mother in law under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
Dowry harassment is also included under domestic abuse/violence. Domestic abuse also includes physical abuse, emotional abuse as well as economic abuse.

Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides for any person to file the complaint on behalf of the aggrieved party like the neighbour, social worker, relatives, etc.
It lays down that every woman has the right to reside in the shared household without the fear of being thrown out of the house.

Another remedy is the aggrieved party or her relative to file a complaint under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 which makes domestic violence a criminal offence. It states that any cruelty to the women by the husband or the relative of husband will be punished with imprisonment upto three years or fine.

Thus, these are the remedies available to you.

Reference: Indian Penal Code, 1860
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

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