The fourteen lawful doors

You feel there is no way out. Is there a legal way? There is. Here it is.

Each door answers a cry we hear every week, from people of every gender. Every door works under the old code, for cases filed before 1 July 2024, and under the new one, so we give both section numbers.

General information, not advice on your case. Please speak to your own lawyer, or to your District Legal Services Authority, about your case.

Or type a word to find your door

What you type stays on your phone. Nothing is sent anywhere.

“They will arrest my whole family.”

Arrest and anticipatory bail

In a cruelty case there is no automatic arrest.

“My parents are named for nothing.”

Relatives named without a specific act

A relative named with no specific act attributed to them can ask the High Court to cancel the case.

“She exaggerates. He hides.”

The honest affidavit, for both sides

In every maintenance case both sides must file a sworn Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities.

“Ten years and no verdict.”

Delay and early hearing

In a cruelty or dowry death trial, you can ask the court to treat it as a priority case, citing the Supreme Court's directions of 20 August 2026.

“They lied on oath.”

False evidence on oath

You can apply to the court itself to act on false evidence.

“Pay or I file.”

Extortion: 'Pay or I file'

Demanding money under threat of a case is extortion, whoever makes the demand.

“I was acquitted. Who pays for my lost years?”

After an acquittal

You can ask the magistrate for compensation where an accusation was made without reasonable cause.

“The marriage is dead. Let me go.”

Mutual consent and settlement

Divorce by mutual consent exists, with an equivalent under other personal laws.

“Let a neutral person help us talk.”

Mediation

Mediation means a neutral person helps both sides reach their own agreement, in a dispute that arises mainly from matrimonial discord.

“1,500 km for every hearing.”

Transfer petition

You can ask for the case to be moved. This is a transfer petition.

“I have not seen my child.”

Seeing your child

You can apply for visitation or interim custody in the Family Court.

“I am the one who was hurt at home.”

Protection from violence at home

The Domestic Violence Act gives protection orders, the right to stay in the shared home, money relief and interim custody.

“My face is everywhere.”

Your face and papers online

Report it at cybercrime.gov.in, or call 1930.

“I cannot afford a lawyer. I cannot cope.”

Legal aid and care

Free legal aid is a right, through your District Legal Services Authority.

It is slow, but it is not deaf. Related cases are pending and undecided. We name no one. If tonight is heavy, call 14416.