BATTERED WOMEN SYNDROME IN INDIAN LEGAL CONTEXT: A LEGAL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR: – ISHITA CHAUHAN* & KHALEEQ AHMAD**

* STUDENT AT B.A.LL.B. (H), LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, FACULTY OF UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY. EMAIL – DDN.ISHITA@GMAIL.COM

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, LAW COLLEGE DEHRADUN, FACULTY OF UTTARANCHAL UNIVERSITY. EMAIL – KHALEEQAHMAD@UTTARANCHALUNIVERSITY.AC.IN

BEST CITATION – ISHITA CHAUHAN & KHALEEQ AHMAD, BATTERED WOMEN SYNDROME IN INDIAN LEGAL CONTEXT: A LEGAL ANALYSIS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (8) OF 2025, PG. 651-659, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.,

Abstract

“The purpose of this research study is to investigate the legal recognition and application of Battered Women Syndrome (BWS) within the Indian court system. The idea of battered woman syndrome (BWS) is still not sufficiently recognised in Indian law, despite the fact that there have been considerable developments in the fight against domestic abuse through legislation such as the Protection of Women from Domestic abuse Act, 2005. This study examines key instances that have sought to establish BWS as a legal defence, investigates the obstacles that are associated with its application, and proposes revisions that will better accommodate this syndrome within India’s legal structure. In the paper, the author argues for a more nuanced understanding of self-defence in situations like these, highlighting the need of judicial acknowledgement of the psychological impact that prolonged abuse has on women who turn to lethal violence against their abusers.”

Keywords: Battered Women Syndrome, Indian legal System, Self-defense, Domestic Violence, Criminal Law Reform