Can a mother-in-law in India seek legal protection under the Domestic Violence Act against her daughter-in-law? Would she be considered part of the family for this purpose? Additionally, are there any specific sections within the Indian Penal Code that a mother-in-law could use to address issues with her daughter-in-law?

Under the Domestic Violence Act, a mother-in-law can seek legal protection against her daughter-in-law if she proves she is part of the family and is subjected to violence. The Act defines “family” broadly, including in-laws, making this possible. While the IPC doesn’t specifically address in-law disputes, sections like 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), or 506 (criminal intimidation) could be relevant depending on the specific situation.