Right to Shared Household Cannot Become Weapon Against Senior Citizens’ Property Rights: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court observed that a woman’s right to reside in a “shared household” under the Domestic Violence Act cannot be used as a weapon to defeat the property and peaceful residence rights of senior citizens.

The Court upheld an eviction order passed against a daughter-in-law and her son from the property owned by elderly in-laws, noting that the right of residence is protective in nature and not a proprietary right.

It further held that where family relations have irretrievably broken down, courts must balance the residential rights of the daughter-in-law with the dignity, autonomy, and peaceful living rights of senior citizens.

[Smt Ritu Taneja & Anr. v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi & Ors.]