Building Financial Independence

You have the absolute right to open a bank account in your name — without your partner's knowledge or permission.

• PM Jan Dhan Yojana: Open a zero-balance savings account at any nationalised bank with just your Aadhaar card. No minimum balance required. Free RuPay debit card included.
• Regular savings account: Bring Aadhaar + PAN card to any bank branch. You do not need a spouse's signature or consent.
• Give your parents' address or a trusted friend's address as your account address — not your matrimonial home.
• Opt for paperless/e-statements only — no physical statements that could be intercepted.
• Set up a separate mobile number (a new SIM) for bank OTPs.

Stridhan is legally yours — completely and absolutely. No court in India can award it to your spouse or partner.

Steps to document and reclaim your Stridhan

1. Make a written inventory — list every item of jewelry, gifts, and cash you received before, during, and after the wedding. Include approximate value.
2. Gather evidence — old photographs from the wedding, gift receipts, family witness statements, or a list signed by your parents.
3. If your Stridhan is being held by in-laws: File a case under Section 406 IPC (Criminal Breach of Trust). The court can order its return.
4. Include it in your PWDVA petition as "economic abuse" — the Magistrate can order its return as part of the Monetary Relief order.

Direct financial support

• Swadhar Greh: Government shelter homes provide free accommodation, food, vocational training, and legal aid for up to 2 years.
• One Stop Centre (Sakhi) Fund: OSCs can provide immediate financial assistance for transport, medicines, and basic needs — ask at your nearest government hospital.
• State-specific schemes: Most states have distressed women's funds. Ask the Protection Officer or 181 about schemes in your state.

Employment and skill building

• PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Free skill training in 300+ sectors. Certificates that are recognised nationally.
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Placement-linked skill training for rural women.
• Self Help Groups (SHGs): Connect with a local SHG through the State Rural Livelihood Mission. Access to small loans (₹10,000–₹1,00,000) at very low interest rates.

• Photograph all financial documents: bank passbooks, fixed deposit certificates, property papers, LIC policies, mutual fund statements, and joint investments.
• Save these photographs to a private cloud folder the abuser cannot access.
• Note down account numbers, policy numbers, and the names of banks/institutions.
• If there are joint investments or FDs, consult a lawyer about how to prevent them from being liquidated without your consent.
• Joint bank accounts: Contact the bank to understand the terms — most joint accounts allow either holder to withdraw. A lawyer can seek a court injunction to freeze the account if needed.

During separation (interim maintenance)

• Under CrPC Section 125, a wife can apply for maintenance from her husband immediately — even before divorce proceedings begin. (Similar rights exist under other personal and gender-neutral family laws for survivors of other genders).
• This can be filed at the Family Court or through the Magistrate's court. You can apply yourself without a lawyer (though one helps).
• Interim maintenance orders typically take 60–90 days but can be obtained faster in domestic violence cases.

Under PWDVA

• The Magistrate can order monetary relief — covering your rent, food, medical bills, and children's expenses — as part of the Protection Order proceedings.
• This is in addition to, not instead of, maintenance under CrPC or Hindu Marriage Act.