Domestic Violence Compensation Debate Centers on Victim’s Trauma vs. Perpetrator’s Wealth : Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has raised the question of whether compensation awarded in a domestic violence case should be proportionate to the victim’s violence or the guilty party’s financial status.

The husband challenged the ₹3 crore compensation awarded, arguing that the amount should have been quantified based on damages and injuries, including mental torture and emotional distress, rather than the victim’s standard of living. The husband’s counsel argued that the compensation was quantified at ₹3 crore based on his annual income for 2008-2009.

The court stayed execution proceedings against the husband, requiring him to deposit ₹1.5 crore with it while continuing maintenance payments to his wife.

Senior Advocate Madhavi Divan and other advocates represented the appellant-husband.