THE TAMIL NADU PROHIBITION OF HONOUR-BASED AND CASTE- BASED VIOLENCE BILL, 2026 A Bill to prevent and punish honour-based and caste-based violence; to protect the liberty, dignity, life and personal autonomy of adult persons in matters of marriage, relationship, association, residence and caste assertion; to provide for threat assessment, immediate protection, safe accommodation, specialised investigation, victim

THE TAMIL NADU PROHIBITION OF HONOUR-BASED AND CASTE- BASED VIOLENCE BILL, 2026

A Bill to prevent and punish honour-based and caste-based violence; to protect the liberty, dignity, life and personal autonomy of adult persons in matters of marriage, relationship, association, residence and caste assertion; to provide for threat assessment, immediate protection, safe accommodation, specialised investigation, victim and witness protection, public servant accountability, rehabilitation and compensation; and to ensure that criminal liability is imposed only upon specific proof of participation,

instigation, conspiracy, abetment, coercion, violence, concealment, official neglect or other legally recognised involvement.
CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY
1. Short title, extent and commencement
(1) This Act may be called the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Honour-Based and Caste-Based Violence Act, 2026.
(2) It shall extend to the whole of the State of Tamil Nadu.
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification, appoint.
2. Act to be in addition to existing law
(1) The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and any other law for the time being in force.
(2) Nothing in this Act shall diminish any right, remedy, protection, procedure, relief, compensation or punishment available under any other law.
(3) Where the facts disclose an offence under this Act and also under any other law, both legal regimes may operate simultaneously, subject always to the constitutional protection against double punishment for the same offence.

Explanation. — The purpose of this Act is not to replace ordinary criminal law, but to identify, prevent and punish the honour-based or caste-based dimension of violence where such dimension is supported by legally relevant material.
3. Guiding principles
(1) The authorities exercising powers under this Act shall be guided by the following principles:
(a) every competent adult has the right to choose a spouse, partner, relationship, association, residence and mode of life without unlawful

interference by family, caste, clan, community, religious, political or local bodies;
(b) no family, caste, clan, community, religious, political or local body has authority to punish, threaten, discipline, retrieve, separate, confine, boycott or otherwise coerce any person for exercising such choice;
(c) the State has a positive duty to prevent foreseeable honour-based and caste-based violence;
(d) protection may be granted on credible apprehension of harm and shall not depend upon proof of a completed offence;
(e) arrest, charge-sheeting and conviction shall depend upon specific material showing the individual role of each accused;
(f) the Act shall not criminalise mere disapproval, advice, persuasion, refusal to consent, refusal to attend a marriage, refusal to provide financial support, or social non-participation, unless accompanied by threat, coercion, intimidation, confinement, surveillance, forced separation, boycott, abuse of legal process, violence, abetment, conspiracy or intentional interference with the liberty of a competent adult.
4. Definitions
(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) “adult” means a person who has completed eighteen years of age;
(b) “competent adult” means an adult who is capable of understanding the nature and consequences of his or her decision in matters of marriage, relationship, association, residence or personal autonomy;
(c) “adult autonomy” means and includes the freedom of a competent adult to choose, continue or refuse a marriage, relationship, cohabitation, association, residence, occupation, education, movement or communication;
(d) “honour-based violence” means and includes any act of violence, threat, coercion, intimidation, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, abduction, forced separation, surveillance, social boycott, economic boycott, abuse of legal process, damage to property, harassment,

instigation, abetment, conspiracy or other unlawful act committed against a person on the ground that such person has exercised, is believed to have exercised, or may exercise adult autonomy in matters of marriage, relationship, cohabitation, residence, association, sexuality or personal life;
Explanation I. — Honour-based violence may arise from opposition to inter-caste marriage, inter-religious marriage, self-choice marriage, refusal of an arranged marriage, cohabitation, continuation of a relationship, dissolution of a relationship, or any perceived conduct treated as injuring family, caste, clan or community honour.
Explanation II. — Mere disapproval of a relationship, refusal to give consent, refusal to attend a marriage, refusal to provide financial assistance, or expression of disagreement shall not by itself constitute honour-based violence unless accompanied by an unlawful act specified in this clause.
(e) “honour killing” means and includes murder or culpable homicide committed where honour, family reputation, community status, patriarchal control, clan discipline, or objection to adult autonomy which is the primary motive (mens rea) behind for causing death;
(f) “caste-based violence” means and includes any act of violence, threat, intimidation, humiliation, social boycott, economic boycott, obstruction, assault, murder, abetment, conspiracy, retaliation, or other unlawful act committed where caste identity, caste assertion, resistance to caste domination, claim to dignity or equality, access to public or religious space, occupation of common resources, inter-caste association, or crossing of caste boundaries which is primary motive (mens rea) behind the violent acts;
Explanation I. — It shall not be necessary to prove that caste was the sole or exclusive motive. It shall be sufficient if caste was a substantial and legally relevant reason for the act.

Explanation II. — A case shall not be treated as caste-based merely because the victim and the accused belong to different castes. There must be objective material from which caste motive may reasonably be inferred.
(g) “caste-based killing” means and includes murder or culpable homicide committed where caste identity, caste assertion, resistance to caste domination, inter-caste association, caste transgression, claim to dignity or equality, access to public or religious space, or refusal to accept caste- based subordination which is the primary motive (mens rea) for causing the death;
(h) “credible apprehension of harm” means and includes a reasonable apprehension of threat, coercion, confinement, abduction, forced separation, assault, killing, social boycott, economic boycott, retaliatory violence, misuse of legal process, or other unlawful interference, based on one or more circumstances including prior threats, family or community hostility, surveillance, earlier complaints, attempts to locate or retrieve the person, confiscation of communication devices, coercive meetings, caste abuse, public mobilisation, past violence, or any other relevant material;
Explanation. — Reliable and credible information relating to harm of any kind is sufficient. Finding of guild is not a legal requirement.
(i) “coercion” means and includes threat, intimidation, physical force, emotional duress accompanied by unlawful restraint, wrongful confinement, abduction, forced separation, surveillance, social boycott, economic boycott, confiscation of documents or communication devices, deprivation of shelter or resources for coercive purposes, or abuse of legal process;
(j) “coercive assembly” means and includes any meeting, gathering, council, panchayat, katta panchayat, family council, caste body, clan body, community forum, religious body, local group or political group convened or used for the purpose of threatening, condemning, punishing, separating, confining, boycotting, humiliating, retrieving, assaulting, or

otherwise coercing any person on grounds of adult autonomy, inter-caste association, caste assertion or alleged injury to honour;
Explanation. — A discussion among family members or community persons shall not become a coercive assembly unless the object, decision, conduct or consequence of such gathering discloses threat, coercion, intimidation, unlawful interference, boycott, violence, abetment, conspiracy or other illegal purpose.
(k) “surveillance” means and includes repeated or organised watching, following, tracking, digital monitoring, interception of communication, collection of location information, use of persons to trace or locate, or other monitoring of a person, where such conduct is undertaken with intent to intimidate, retrieve, confine, separate, harm, expose, shame or enable harm to such person;
Explanation. — Casual enquiry about the welfare or whereabouts of a family member shall not amount to surveillance unless as specified above.
(l) “forced separation” means and includes any act by which two competent adults are separated or prevented from communicating, meeting, marrying, cohabiting, travelling, residing together or continuing a relationship by use of threat, force, confinement, abduction, intimidation, coercion, deception, misuse of police process, confiscation of documents, confiscation of communication devices, or other unlawful means;
(m) “social boycott” means and includes refusal, obstruction, exclusion, humiliation, intimidation or organised denial of social relations, community participation, public access, religious access, local services, customary facilities or ordinary civic interaction, imposed or threatened with the objective of punishing or deterring adult autonomy, inter-caste association, caste assertion or resistance to caste domination;
(n) “economic boycott” means and includes denial, obstruction, termination or threatened termination of employment, labour, tenancy, credit, trade, services, access to resources, livelihood, wages, transport, educational opportunity, market participation or economic dealing, with the objective

of punishing or deterring adult autonomy, inter-caste association, caste assertion or resistance to caste domination;
(o) “victim” means and includes a person against whom an offence under this Act is alleged to have been committed, and includes the surviving spouse, partner, child, parent, sibling, dependent or legal representative of a deceased victim;
(p) “threatened person” means and includes any person who seeks protection under this Act on the basis of credible apprehension of harm;
(q) “Protection Cell” means and includes the district-level or micro-level protection mechanism constituted under this Act;
(r) “Special Court” means and includes a Court of Session designated by the State Government for trial of offences under this Act;
(s) “Special Public Prosecutor” means and includes a prosecutor appointed or designated by the State Government to conduct cases under this Act.
(t) “Violence against children” means any act of violence, threat, intimidation, confinement, segregation, abduction, forced marriage, forced removal from education, social boycott, economic boycott, retaliation, coercion, abandonment or other unlawful harm committed against a child, or by using a child, on account of an honour-based or caste-based motive, including any motive to prevent, punish, deter or control an inter-caste or self-chosen relationship, adult autonomy, caste assertion, claim to dignity, or participation in any complaint, testimony or legal proceeding under this Act.
CHAPTER II
RIGHT TO ADULT AUTONOMY AND DUTIES OF PROTECTION
5. Recognition of Adult Autonomy
(1) Every competent adult shall have the right to choose, continue or refuse a marriage, relationship, cohabitation, association, residence, education, occupation, movement and communication.
(2) No person, family, caste body, community body, religious body, political body, local group or public servant shall interfere with the exercise of such

right by threat, coercion, intimidation, confinement, forced separation, surveillance, boycott, violence, abuse of legal process or other unlawful means.
(3) No competent adult shall be compelled to return to parental, matrimonial, family, caste, community or institutional custody against his or her will, except in accordance with law and by order of a competent court.
Explanation. — The lawful choice of a competent adult shall not require approval, ratification or consent from parents, relatives, caste bodies, community bodies or local authorities.

6. District Protection Cell
(1) The State Government shall, by notification, establish in every district a District Honour and Caste Violence Protection Cell.
(2) The Protection Cell shall consist of:
(a) an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police, who shall be the nodal officer;
(b) a District Social Welfare Officer or equivalent officer;
(c) a Protection Officer trained in gender, caste and autonomy-related violence;
(d) a legal services authority representative;
(e) such other officers as may be prescribed.
(3) The Protection Cell shall function twenty-four hours a day and shall maintain a helpline, secure complaint mechanism, emergency response protocol and safe-house referral system.
(4) The Protection Cell shall receive complaints directly from threatened persons, couples, relatives, friends, witnesses, whistleblowers, good Samaritans, non-governmental organisations, Marriage Officers, public servants, advocates, teachers, employers or any person having knowledge of credible information of harm.

7. Complaint and Immediate Response

(1) A complaint seeking protection may be made orally, in writing, electronically, through a helpline, through an advocate, through a representative, or before any police station.
(2) No police station shall refuse to receive a complaint on the ground of territorial jurisdiction.
(3) Where the complaint discloses credible information of harm, the receiving officer shall immediately:
(a) record the complaint in writing;
(b) provide a copy or electronic acknowledgement to the complainant;
(c) inform the District Protection Cell;
(d) ensure immediate interim safety of the threatened person;
(e) prevent forced return, retrieval or coercive counselling;
(f) take steps to prevent imminent violence, confinement, abduction, pursuit or forced separation.
(4) The Protection Cell shall conduct a preliminary threat assessment within twelve hours of receipt of the complaint.
(5) Where immediate danger is disclosed, protection shall be provided first and detailed verification may follow.
Explanation. — The purpose of this section is preventive. The grant of protection shall not be treated as a finding that any named person has committed an offence.

8. Threat Assessment
(1) The threat assessment shall consider, among other relevant matters:
(a) prior threats or violence;
(b) opposition to inter-caste, inter-religious or self-choice relationship;
(c) confiscation of phone, documents, money or communication devices;
(d) forced confinement, forced separation or attempts to retrieve the person;
(e) surveillance, tracking or pursuit;
(f) caste abuse, caste mobilisation or family/community meetings;
(g) prior complaints or requests for protection;
(h) attempts to file false or coercive counter-cases;

(i) social or economic boycott;
(j) vulnerability arising from gender, caste, age, disability, economic dependence, locality or isolation;
(k) local influence of the persons from whom threat is apprehended;
(l) any indication of police complicity, refusal or local pressure.
(2) The assessment shall classify risk as immediate, high, moderate or low.
(3) Where risk is immediate or high, protective measures shall be ordered without delay.
(4) Refusal to grant protection shall be supported by written reasons and shall be subject to review by the Superintendent of Police or such senior officer as may be prescribed.

9. Adult Autonomy Verification
(1) Where a complaint concerns the choice, residence, marriage, relationship or cohabitation of an adult, the police or Protection Cell shall, as far as practicable, speak to such adult separately, confidentially and outside the presence of parents, relatives, caste members, community members or persons from whom threat is apprehended.
(2) The adult shall be informed of the right to legal aid, safe accommodation, medical assistance, counselling, and protection.
(3) Where the adult states that the choice is voluntary, such statement shall be recorded in writing or by audio-video means, as may be prescribed.
(4) No adult who states that his or her choice is voluntary shall be compelled to return to family custody, community custody, marital custody or any other custody against his or her will.
(5) Where there is specific material suggesting incapacity, coercion, trafficking, intoxication, severe mental incapacity, or minority, the matter shall be placed before the competent Magistrate or authority in accordance with law.
Explanation. — Adult autonomy verification is meant to protect free choice. It shall not be converted into moral enquiry, family mediation or pressure to compromise.

10. Protection Measures
(1) Upon finding credible apprehension of harm, the Protection Cell or competent police officer may order or arrange one or more of the following measures:
(a) police protection;
(b) safe-house accommodation;
(c) relocation assistance;
(d) confidentiality of address and contact details;
(e) police escort for travel, marriage registration, court appearance, education, employment or residence shift;
(f) restraint directions against named persons from contacting, following, threatening or approaching the threatened person;
(g) recovery of documents, certificates, phone, personal belongings or money unlawfully withheld;
(h) digital safety measures;
(i) immediate medical assistance;
(j) legal aid;
(k) psychological counselling, where voluntarily sought;
(l) any other measure necessary for safety.
(2) The protection order shall specify its duration, review date and responsible officer.
(3) Protection shall not be withdrawn without notice to the threatened person and written reasons.

11. Prohibition on Coercive Counselling and Compromise
(1) No police officer, public servant, Protection Cell member, Marriage Officer, local authority or mediator shall compel or pressure any competent adult to abandon a relationship, marriage, cohabitation, residence or association in the name of family settlement, caste peace, public order, reputation or compromise.

(2) Counselling may be provided only where it is voluntary, non-coercive, confidential and does not expose the threatened person to danger.
(3) No threatened person shall be produced before family members, community members, caste representatives or local leaders for settlement unless the person expressly requests such meeting after being informed of the risks and rights available under this Act.

12. Duties of Public Authorities and Marriage Officers
(1) Where a Marriage Officer, Registrar, educational institution, employer, shelter home, hospital, local body or public authority receives information that a person or couple faces credible threat on account of marriage, relationship, inter-caste association or adult autonomy, such authority shall inform the Protection Cell, unless the threatened person expressly objects for reasons of safety.
(2) The identity, address and contact details of the threatened person shall be kept confidential, except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary for protection.

CHAPTER III OFFENCES

13. Coercive Interference with Adult Autonomy and Violence against Children
(1) Whoever, with intent to prevent, punish, deter or control the exercise of adult autonomy, uses threat, force, intimidation, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, abduction, forced separation, surveillance, social boycott, economic boycott, confiscation of documents or communication devices, abuse of legal process, or other unlawful means, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and with fine.
(2) Where such interference causes hurt, grievous hurt, sexual violence, abduction, disappearance, attempt to murder, culpable homicide or murder, the accused shall also be liable for the corresponding offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 or any other applicable law.

(3) Whoever, by reason of any honour-based or caste-based motive, subjects any child to violence, threat, intimidation, wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, abduction, forced marriage, forced removal from education, abandonment, social boycott, economic boycott, retaliation, coercion, or any other form of unlawful harm, shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and with fine.

Explanation. — Mere advice, persuasion, expression of concern, refusal to approve, refusal to participate in a ceremony or refusal to provide financial support shall not constitute an offence under this section unless accompanied by unlawful means specified in sub-section (1).

14. Wrongful Confinement or Forced Return

Whoever wrongfully confines, conceals, detains, transports, retrieves or causes the forced return of any adult for the purpose of preventing or punishing a marriage, relationship, cohabitation, residence, association, caste assertion or exercise of adult autonomy shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and with fine, in addition to any punishment under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

15. Surveillance, Pursuit and Tracking
(1) Whoever conducts surveillance, pursuit, digital tracking, location monitoring, interception of communication or organised tracing of a person with intent to intimidate, retrieve, confine, separate, expose, shame, assault or enable harm to such person on grounds of adult autonomy, inter-caste association, caste assertion or alleged injury to honour shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and with fine.
(2) Where such surveillance or tracking facilitates abduction, assault, grievous hurt, disappearance, attempt to murder, culpable homicide or murder, the person shall be liable for abetment, conspiracy or any other applicable offence according to the role proved.

Explanation. — Liability under this section requires proof of intent or knowledge. Casual enquiry, welfare contact or non-coercive communication shall not constitute surveillance.

16. Coercive Assembly
(1) Whoever convenes, organises, presides over, participates in, finances, facilitates or enforces any coercive assembly shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and with fine.
(2) Where any decision, direction, threat or act arising from such assembly results in hurt, grievous hurt, abduction, confinement, forced separation, social boycott, economic boycott, attempt to murder, culpable homicide or murder, every person whose role in such decision, direction, threat or act is proved shall be liable according to the nature of his or her participation.
(3) No person shall be liable under this section merely by reason of physical presence at a gathering unless knowledge of the unlawful object and participation, instigation, agreement, assistance, threat, enforcement or deliberate facilitation is established.

Explanation. — A family meeting, community discussion or mediation attempt shall not be punishable unless its object, decision, conduct or consequence involves coercion, threat, unlawful interference, boycott, violence, abetment, conspiracy or intentional interference with adult autonomy.

17. Social or Economic Boycott
(1) Whoever imposes, enforces, instigates, threatens or organises social or economic boycott against any person, family, spouse, partner, witness or supporter on grounds of adult autonomy, inter-caste association, caste assertion or resistance to caste domination shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and with fine.
(2) Where such boycott is accompanied by violence, intimidation, dispossession, obstruction of public access, deprivation of livelihood, or denial of essential services, the offender shall also be liable under the

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, or any other applicable law.

18. Abuse of Legal Process to Interfere with Adult Autonomy
(1) Whoever knowingly causes or procures the filing of a false complaint, missing person report, kidnapping allegation, abduction allegation, theft allegation, immoral conduct allegation, or other legal proceeding for the purpose of retrieving, separating, confining, intimidating, harassing or punishing a competent adult or such adult’s chosen spouse, partner, friend, supporter or shelter provider shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to five years and with fine.
(2) No person shall be punished under this section merely because a complaint is found to be unproved.
(3) Prosecution under this section shall require specific material showing that the complaint or proceeding was knowingly false and was initiated for the coercive purpose specified in sub-section (1).

Explanation. — This section is intended to prevent the criminal process from being used as a weapon against consenting adults. It shall not prevent genuine complaints concerning minors, trafficking, coercion, incapacity, deception, sexual offences or other lawful grievances.

19. Honour Killing and Caste-Based Killing
(1) Where murder or culpable homicide is committed and honour, family reputation, community status, patriarchal control, caste identity, caste assertion, caste transgression, inter-caste association, claim to dignity or equality, or resistance to caste domination is proved to be a substantial and legally relevant reason for the killing, the offence shall be recorded and tried as an honour killing, caste-based killing, or both, as the case may be.
(2) The punishment shall be in addition to the punishment provided for the corresponding offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

(3) The honour-based or caste-based motive shall be treated as an aggravating circumstance for the purpose of sentencing, subject to the constitutional requirement of individualised sentencing.
(4) Nothing in this section shall create a presumption of guilt against any parent, relative, caste member, community member or person associated with the accused or victim.

Explanation I. — It shall not be necessary to prove that honour or caste was the sole motive. It shall be sufficient if it was a substantial motive or reason for the killing.

Explanation II. — Difference of caste between the victim and accused shall not by itself prove caste motive. Objective material must exist, including prior threats, caste abuse, family or community opposition, surveillance, confinement, coercive assembly, social boycott, earlier complaint, retaliatory conduct, public humiliation, or conduct showing punishment of caste transgression or adult autonomy.

20. Attempt, Abetment, Conspiracy and Financing
(1) Whoever attempts, abets, conspires, instigates, finances, transports, shelters, arms, hires, directs, facilitates, conceals or otherwise intentionally aids the commission of any offence under this Act shall be liable according to the nature and extent of the role proved.
(2) Where the act abetted or conspired is murder, culpable homicide, attempt to murder, grievous hurt, abduction, confinement or other offence under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, liability shall be in addition to the offences determined in accordance with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
(3) Graded liability shall be maintained. A person who merely expresses disapproval shall not be treated as a conspirator. A person who threatens, plans, finances, tracks, confines, transports, assaults, destroys evidence or directs others may be liable according to the role proved.

21. Destruction of Evidence and Suppression of Motive
(1) Whoever, knowing or having reason to believe that an honour-based or caste-based offence has been committed, causes disappearance of evidence, conceals the body, destroys digital records, threatens witnesses, fabricates a suicide or accident theory, suppresses caste or honour motive, gives false information, or otherwise screens the offender from legal punishment, shall be punished in addition to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and may also be punished with imprisonment which may extend to seven years and with fine under this Act.
(2) Where such act is committed by a public servant, police officer, medical officer, revenue officer, local authority or person under a statutory duty to report or preserve evidence, the court may impose enhanced punishment and recommend departmental action.

CHAPTER IV
INVESTIGATION, ARREST, CHARGE-SHEET AND TRIAL

22. Time-limit for completion of investigation
(1) Every investigation under this Act shall be completed as expeditiously as possible and, in any case, within a period of ninety days from the date of registration of the First Information Report.
(2) Where the Investigating Officer is unable to complete the investigation within the period specified in sub-section (1), he shall, before the expiry of the said period, submit a written report to the Superintendent of Police stating:
(a) the reasons for the delay;
(b) the steps already taken in the investigation;
(c) the evidence remaining to be collected; and
(d) the specific reasons why such evidence could not be collected within ninety days.

(3) No extension of time shall be granted except with the prior written approval of the Superintendent of Police, and such approval shall record reasons in writing.
(4) The Superintendent of Police may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, grant one extension only, for a further period of one month.
(5) No further extension shall be granted beyond the period specified in sub- section (4).
(6) No extension under this section shall be granted mechanically or as a matter of routine, and the Superintendent of Police shall satisfy himself that the delay is unavoidable and that the Investigating Officer has acted with due diligence.
(7) A copy of the order granting extension shall be forwarded to the Special Court and to the District Special Cell within seven days from the date of such approval.
(8) Failure to complete investigation within the period specified under sub- section (1), or within the extended period granted under sub-section (4), without sufficient cause or without obtaining prior written approval as required under this section, shall be treated as dereliction of duty and shall attract departmental action, without prejudice to any other liability under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.
(9) Nothing in this section shall prevent further investigation in accordance with the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, where fresh material is discovered after filing of the final report.
23. Mandatory Recording of Honour and Caste Indicators
(1) In every case involving death, disappearance, attempt to murder, grievous hurt, abduction, confinement, forced separation, suicide under suspicious circumstances, or threat connected with adult autonomy, inter-caste association, caste assertion or alleged injury to honour, the investigating officer shall record whether honour-based or caste-based indicators are present.
(2) Such indicators may include:

(e) opposition to inter-caste, inter-religious or self-choice relationship;
(f) prior threats or violence;
(g) caste abuse or caste-based humiliation;
(h) coercive family, caste or community meeting;
(i) forced separation, confinement, surveillance or pursuit;
(j) prior request for police protection;
(k) social or economic boycott;
(l) false counter-case or attempt to retrieve the adult;
(m) pressure on witnesses or surviving partner;
(n) any conduct suggesting punishment of adult autonomy, caste transgression or caste assertion.
(3) Failure to record such indicators shall not by itself invalidate the investigation, but shall be subject to supervisory review.
(4) It shall be the duty of the investigating officer to record the indicators in writing.

24. Investigation by Designated Officer
(1) Every case of suspected honour killing, caste-based killing, attempt to murder, grievous hurt, abduction, disappearance or organised coercive assembly under this Act shall be investigated by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
(2) Other offences under this Act shall be investigated by such officer as may be prescribed, but not below the rank of Inspector of Police.
(3) Where credible allegations exist against the local police station, or where local influence may affect investigation, the Superintendent of Police shall transfer the investigation to another unit or officer.
(4) Where the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is attracted, the investigation shall comply with the requirements of that Act and the Rules framed thereunder.

25. Four Statutory Thresholds

For the avoidance of misuse and over-criminalisation, the following thresholds shall be observed:
(a) protection may be granted on credible apprehension or information of harm
(b) registration or addition of honour-based or caste-based indicators shall require prima facie material;
(c) arrest or coercive process shall require specific material showing the individual’s role and the necessity of arrest;
(d) conviction shall require proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Explanation. — These thresholds shall not be collapsed. A person may be protected against anticipated harm without treating every person named in the apprehension as an accused.

26. Arrest Safeguards
(1) No person shall be arrested under this Act merely because he or she is a parent, relative, caste member, community member, neighbour, employer, political associate, local resident, or person present at a discussion or gathering.
(2) Before arresting a person under this Act, the investigating officer shall record reasons showing:
(a) the specific act attributed to such person;
(b) the material supporting such attribution;
(c) the necessity of arrest for preventing further offence, securing investigation, preventing abscondence, preventing destruction of evidence, preventing witness intimidation, or protecting the victim.
(3) Where the proposed arrest concerns an extended family member, community member, public servant, local leader, or person not alleged to have directly participated in violence, prior written approval of the Superintendent of Police or an officer authorised by him shall be obtained, except in cases of imminent danger, abscondence, active intimidation, destruction of evidence or direct participation in violence.

(4) Nothing in this Act shall be construed as excluding the jurisdiction of the competent court to grant bail, anticipatory bail, discharge or any other relief available under law.
(5) While considering bail, the court shall consider the nature of the role attributed, threat to the victim or witness, possibility of intimidation, possibility of repetition, gravity of the offence, and the material collected by the investigation.

Explanation. — Cognisable does not mean automatically arrestable. Non-bailable does not mean that bail is barred. Arrest is a coercive measure and must be justified by necessity and specific material.

27. Prohibition of Omnibus Allegations
(1) No final report under this Act shall proceed on general allegations that the accused belonged to the family, caste group, community, village faction, political circle or locality of the principal offender.
(2) Every final report shall contain a role-attribution schedule identifying, for each accused:
(a) the specific act alleged;
(b) the approximate date or period;
(c) the mode of participation;
(d) the material relied upon;
(e) the legal category of liability, including direct perpetration, conspiracy, abetment, instigation, financing, transport, surveillance, confinement, coercive assembly participation, harbouring, evidence destruction, motive suppression, public servant neglect or active official assistance.
(3) Where such role-attribution schedule is absent or materially deficient, the Special Court may direct further investigation, call for prosecutorial scrutiny, or consider discharge in accordance with law.

28. Prosecutorial Scrutiny in Cases of Multiple Accused

(1) Where more than five persons are proposed to be prosecuted under this Act, or where extended relatives, community figures, local leaders, public servants or persons not directly involved in violence are proposed to be included, the final report shall be reviewed by the Special Public Prosecutor or a police officer before filing of the final report.
(2) The review shall examine whether the material against each accused satisfies the ingredients of the offences specifically mentioned under this Act.
(3) The review shall not prevent prosecution of actual perpetrators, planners, financiers, abettors, conspirators or facilitators, but shall prevent indiscriminate arraignment.

29. Protection Against False Counter-Cases
(1) Where a case of kidnapping, abduction, wrongful confinement, theft, immoral conduct or similar allegation is filed against the chosen spouse, partner, friend, supporter or shelter provider of a competent adult, and such adult states that the association, travel, residence or relationship was voluntary, the police shall not arrest the named person solely on the basis of such complaint unless independent material discloses coercion, minority, incapacity, trafficking, deception, unlawful confinement or other cognisable offence.
(2) The statement of the adult shall, as far as practicable, be recorded before a Magistrate within forty-eight hours.
(3) Where the adult seeks protection, the Protection Cell shall be informed immediately.
(4) The police shall examine whether the counter-case has been filed to retrieve, punish, separate or intimidate the adult or the chosen partner.

Explanation. — This section does not create immunity for genuine offences. It prevents the criminal process from being used as an instrument of family, caste or community coercion against consenting adults.

30. Special Courts

(1) The State Government shall, in consultation with the High Court, designate one or more Courts of Session in every district as Special Courts for trial of offences under this Act.
(2) The Special Court shall endeavour to conduct trial on a day-to-day basis, as far as practicable, without compromising the rights of the accused or the fairness of the trial.
(3) The Special Court may pass protection orders, witness protection directions, relocation directions, compensation directions and confidentiality directions at any stage of proceedings.

31. Victim and Witness Participation
(1) The victim, surviving spouse, partner, dependent or complainant shall have the right to notice and participation at important stages of proceedings, including bail, cancellation of bail, discharge, framing of charge, compounding where legally permissible, and sentencing.
(2) The victim shall have the right to legal assistance through the legal services authority or an advocate of choice, subject to law.
(3) The court shall ensure that participation of the victim does not prejudice the right of the accused to a fair trial.

CHAPTER V
EARLY IDENTIFICATION AND PREVENTION OF OFFENCES UNDER THIS ACT

32. Object of this Chapter

(1) The object of this Chapter is to ensure that honour-based and caste-based violence is identified at the earliest possible stage, investigated according to the level of risk disclosed, and prevented from escalating into grievous hurt, disappearance, attempt to murder, culpable homicide or murder.
(2) The authorities under this Act shall recognise that honour-based and caste- based killings are often preceded by a visible sequence of warning signs,

including threat, surveillance, forced separation, confinement, caste or family mobilisation, coercive meetings, false counter-cases, social boycott, economic boycott, public humiliation, witness intimidation and local pressure.
(3) The purpose of tier-level classification is preventive and investigative. It shall not create a presumption of guilt against any person.

Explanation. — A risk classification under this Chapter is meant to guide police protection, evidence preservation, supervision and investigation. It is not a finding that any named person has committed an offence.

33. Early Assessment to Prevent Escalation

(1) In every complaint, information, FIR, missing person report, suspicious suicide, assault, abduction, confinement, threat complaint or request for protection involving adult autonomy, inter-caste association, caste assertion or alleged injury to honour, the receiving officer shall examine whether any red-flag indicators of escalation are present.
(2) Escalation indicators may include:

(a) opposition to an inter-caste, inter-religious, self-choice or socially disapproved relationship;
(b) prior threats to kill, assault, confine, separate, disinherit, shame, boycott or falsely implicate;
(c) caste abuse, caste humiliation or statements referring to caste purity, family honour, clan reputation or community prestige;
(d) confiscation of phone, identity documents, educational certificates, money, bank cards or communication devices;
(e) confinement of an adult within a house, hostel, workplace, vehicle, religious institution or other location;
(f) forced return or attempted retrieval of an adult from a chosen residence, workplace, educational institution, shelter or partner;

(g) surveillance, digital tracking, following, monitoring of phone, interception of communication, use of third persons to trace the couple, or collection of location details;
(h) convening of a family, caste, clan, community, religious, political or local meeting to condemn, separate, punish, retrieve, boycott or discipline the person or couple;
(i) attempts to file kidnapping, abduction, theft, immoral conduct or missing person complaints against the chosen spouse, partner, friend, shelter provider or supporter;
(j) social boycott, economic boycott, public humiliation, local announcement, denial of services, employment pressure or threats to the victim’s family;\
(k) prior complaint seeking police protection, legal aid, marriage registration protection or safe accommodation;
(l) disappearance, suspicious suicide, sudden death, unexplained injury or withdrawal of complaint after family or community intervention;
(m) pressure on witnesses, surviving partner, friends, employers, teachers, neighbours, advocates or shelter providers;
(n) local influence of persons from whom threat is apprehended, including influence over police, village administration, caste bodies, political groups or employers;
(o) any history of similar violence or collective intimidation in the locality.

(3) The presence of one or more red-flag indicators shall require the receiving officer to activate the risk classification process under this Chapter.
(4) Absence of a red-flag indicator shall not prevent protection or investigation where credible apprehension of harm otherwise exists.

Explanation. —Prevention indicators are not ingredients of an offence. They are statutory warning signs requiring public servants and police attention, threat assessment and supervisory review.

34. Tier-Level Risk Classification

(1) Upon receipt of information disclosing any red-flag indicator, the Protection Cell or designated officer shall classify the matter into one of the following tiers:

(a) Tier I — Watch and Prevent: where there is family, caste or community opposition, but no immediate threat of violence, confinement, forced separation, pursuit or coercive assembly is disclosed;
(b) Tier II — Active Threat: where threat, intimidation, surveillance, confinement, forced separation, attempted retrieval, false counter-case, coercive meeting, social boycott, economic boycott or pressure on the adult or child is disclosed;
(c) Tier III — Imminent Danger: where there is credible apprehension of abduction, grievous hurt, armed attack, organised pursuit, disappearance, forced return, planned assault, hired assailants, local mobilisation, police complicity or immediate danger to life or liberty;
(d) Tier IV — Serious Offence or Post-Offence Stage: where death, suspicious suicide, disappearance, attempt to murder, grievous hurt, abduction, custodial confinement, sexual violence, destruction of evidence or serious witness intimidation has occurred.

(2) The tier classification shall be recorded in writing, with brief reasons and the material relied upon.
(3) The tier classification shall be reviewed whenever fresh material is received and, in any case, within the time prescribed under this Chapter.
(4) The classification may be upgraded or downgraded based on subsequent facts.

(5) No person shall be arrested merely because a matter has been classified as Tier II, Tier III or Tier IV. Arrest shall be governed by the safeguards contained in this Act and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

35. Tier I Procedure — Watch and Prevent

(1) In Tier I cases, the designated officer shall:

(a) record the complaint or information;
(b) speak to the child or adult concerned separately and confidentially, where applicable;
(c) inform the person of the right to protection, safe accommodation, legal aid and helpline support;
(d) warn identified persons, where appropriate, against unlawful interference, threat, confinement, forced separation, boycott or abuse of legal process;
(e) open a confidential protection record;
(f) review the case within seven days, or earlier if further threat is reported.

(2) No coercive action shall be taken against any person in Tier I cases unless specific material discloses an offence.

Explanation. — Tier I is intended to prevent escalation without criminalising ordinary family disagreement or non-coercive disapproval.

36. Tier II Procedure — Active Threat

(1) In Tier II cases, the designated officer shall, within twenty-four hours:

(a) conduct a written threat assessment;
(b) record the statement of the adult separately and confidentially;
(c) provide interim protection where requested or where risk is apparent;
(d) consider safe-house referral, relocation assistance and confidentiality measures;

(e) restrain identified persons from contacting, following, threatening, retrieving or pressuring the threatened person, where necessary;
(f) preserve immediately available evidence, including messages, call records provided by the complainant, CCTV location details, vehicle details, complaint records and digital communications, in accordance with law;
(g) examine whether a false counter-case has been filed or threatened;
(h) report the matter to the District Protection Cell and the jurisdictional Deputy Superintendent of Police.

(2) Where any cognisable offence is disclosed, an FIR shall be registered in accordance with law.
(3) Where no cognisable offence is disclosed but credible apprehension exists, protection and preventive measures may still be granted.
(4) The case shall be reviewed within forty-eight hours and thereafter every seven days until the risk abates.

37. Tier III Procedure — Imminent Danger

(1) In Tier III cases, the matter shall be placed immediately before an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
(2) The following measures shall be taken without delay:

(a) immediate police protection;
(b) safe-house accommodation or relocation, where required;
(c) recovery of the child or adult from unlawful confinement, if disclosed;
(d) prevention of forced return or coercive family/community production;
(e) action to prevent coercive assembly, armed mobilisation, pursuit or planned attack;
(f) preservation of electronic, digital, vehicle, communication, CCTV, toll, lodging, transport and location-related evidence in accordance with law;

(g) identification of persons involved in surveillance, tracking, transport, financing, weapon procurement, harbouring or planning;
(h) intimation to the Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate;
(i) written review within twenty-four hours.

(3) Where hired assailants, intermediaries, payment, weapon procurement, vehicle arrangement or organised attack is suspected, the investigating officer shall conduct a focused financial and logistical investigation.
(4) Such financial and logistical investigation may include examination of bank transfers, cash withdrawals, call records, vehicle hiring, toll movement, hotel/lodge entries, CCTV footage, weapon procurement, communication with intermediaries and other legally obtainable material.
(5) The purpose of such investigation shall be to identify organisers, abettors, financiers, conspirators and facilitators, and not merely the direct assailants.
(6) Intrusive investigative measures shall be undertaken only in accordance with law and with such approval or authorisation as may be required.

38. Tier IV Procedure — Serious Offence or Post-Offence Stage

(1) In Tier IV cases, the investigation shall be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
(2) Where local police complicity, local caste pressure, political pressure or compromised investigation is alleged or reasonably apprehended, the Superintendent of Police shall consider transfer of investigation to another unit, special team or officer outside the immediate local police station.
(3) The investigating officer shall, within twenty-four hours of registration or assumption of investigation:

(a) secure the scene of occurrence;
(b) preserve CCTV footage, digital evidence, call records, phone data, vehicle data, toll records, location material, lodging entries and other time-sensitive evidence in accordance with law;

(c) identify and protect the surviving partner, witnesses, friends, shelter providers and family members at risk;
(d) examine whether prior complaints, protection requests, missing person reports, false counter-cases or police station entries existed;
(e) examine whether the case was initially misclassified as suicide, accident, missing person, family dispute, elopement or ordinary murder despite honour or caste indicators;
(f) identify the role of direct perpetrators, organisers, financiers, abettors, conspirators, trackers, transporters, harbourers, evidence destroyers and public servants, if any;
(g) inform the Special Public Prosecutor in serious cases as may be prescribed.

(4) The investigation shall not stop with the direct assailants where material discloses planning, financing, abetment, conspiracy, hired violence or organised social coercion.
(5) At the same time, no person shall be arrayed as accused merely because of kinship, caste, community, locality, status or political association.

39. FIR-Stage Duties

(1) At the FIR stage, the investigating officer shall record whether the facts disclose any honour-based or caste-based indicators.
(2) The FIR or connected case diary entry shall, where applicable, note:

(a) the relationship, marriage, association, caste assertion or dignity assertion giving rise to the threat or offence;
(b) prior opposition, threats, abuse, surveillance, confinement or forced separation;
(c) existence of any family, caste, clan, community or local meeting;
(d) any prior protection complaint or police approach;

(e) any counter-case filed or threatened against the chosen partner or supporter;
(f) any caste-based words, acts, public humiliation, boycott or collective mobilisation;
(g) immediate protection required for survivors and witnesses.

(3) Non-mention of such indicators in the FIR shall not prevent later addition where material emerges during investigation.
(4) Failure to examine such indicators shall be subject to supervisory review.

Explanation. — The FIR-stage duty is one of identification and preservation. It is not a mandate to mechanically add special-law offences without prima facie material.

40. Duties During Pending Investigation

(1) During the pendency of investigation, the investigating officer shall maintain a case supervision record containing:

(a) current tier classification;
(b) protection measures granted;
(c) threat review dates;
(d) witness protection requirements;
(e) evidence preservation steps;
(f) digital and electronic evidence status;
(g) suspected role categories;
(h) steps taken to verify or exclude named persons;
(i) status of counter-cases, if any;
(j) reasons for arrest or reasons for not arresting, where relevant.

(2) In Tier II and Tier III cases, threat review shall be conducted at least once every seven days until risk abates.

(3) In Tier IV cases, investigation progress shall be reviewed by the Superintendent of Police or designated senior officer at intervals not exceeding fifteen days until filing of final report.
(4) The surviving partner, threatened person or victim’s family shall be informed of major protection-related decisions, subject to investigation requirements and safety.
(5) Where the investigation shows that a person named in the complaint has no role, the investigating officer shall record reasons for not proceeding against such person.

Explanation. — The duty to investigate includes the duty to fairly exclude persons against whom no material exists.

41. Escalation Review Board

(1) The State Government shall constitute, in every district, an Escalation Review Board for serious Tier III and Tier IV cases.
(2) The Board shall consist of:

(a) the Superintendent of Police or nominee not below the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police;
(b) the District Magistrate or nominee;
(c) the Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of investigation or protection;
(d) the District Social Welfare Officer or equivalent officer;
(e) the Special Public Prosecutor, where a serious offence has been registered;
(f) such other officer as may be prescribed.

(3) The Board shall review:

(a) whether protection is adequate;
(b) whether the tier classification is correct;

(c) whether investigation is proceeding against actual roles and not social proximity;
(d) whether electronic evidence has been preserved;
(e) whether witnesses are safe;
(f) whether local pressure, police inaction or official neglect is alleged;
(g) whether the case requires transfer or special investigation.

(4) The Board shall not interfere with judicial functions and shall not direct inclusion of any person as accused without material.

42. Pre-Chargesheet Role-Attribution Record

(1) Before filing the final report in every Tier IV case and in such Tier II or Tier III cases as may be prescribed, the investigating officer shall prepare a Role- Attribution Record.
(2) The Role-Attribution Record shall specify, for each accused:

(a) the name and relationship, if any, to the victim or principal accused;
(b) the specific act alleged;
(c) the date, time or approximate period of such act;
(d) the category of role, including direct perpetration, threat, confinement, surveillance, tracking, forced separation, coercive assembly, financing, transport, weapon procurement, hiring of assailants, abetment, conspiracy, harbouring, evidence destruction, false counter-case, witness intimidation, motive suppression or public servant neglect;
(e) the material relied upon;
(f) whether arrest was made, and if so, the reasons for arrest;
(g) whether the person was named initially or added later, and why;
(h) whether any exculpatory material was considered.

(3) No person shall be charge-sheeted under this Act only on the basis of being a parent, relative, caste member, community member, local leader, employer, neighbour, political associate or attendee at a meeting.

(4) Where the material discloses only disagreement, advice, refusal of consent, refusal to attend marriage or refusal to provide financial support, the person shall not be charge-sheeted under this Act unless unlawful coercive conduct is also disclosed.

43. Prosecutorial Screening before Final Report

(1) In the following categories of cases, the final report shall be reviewed before filing by the Special Public Prosecutor and a senior police officer not below the rank prescribed:

(a) cases involving more than five accused;
(b) cases involving extended family members not directly alleged to have committed violence;
(c) cases involving caste, community, religious, political or local leaders;
(d) cases involving public servants;
(e) cases involving allegations of conspiracy, financing, hired assailants or organised coercive assembly;
(f) cases where the investigation proposes closure despite prior protection complaint or serious red-flag indicators.

(2) The review shall examine:

(a) whether the legal ingredients of the alleged offences are made out;
(b) whether honour or caste motive is supported by objective material;
(c) whether each accused has a specific attributed role;
(d) whether evidence has been preserved;
(e) whether victims and witnesses are protected;
(f) whether any innocent person is being included on the basis of social proximity;
(g) whether any actual organiser, financier, abettor or public servant is being omitted despite material.

(3) The review shall be recorded in writing.
(4) The review shall not prevent the investigating officer from filing the final report in accordance with law, but the reasons for accepting or differing from the review shall be recorded.

44. Stages of Judicial Awareness

(1) At the stage of first remand, bail, extension of investigation, filing of final report, discharge and framing of charge, the prosecution shall place before the court the current status of:

(a) threat classification;
(b) protection measures;
(c) witness safety;
(d) role attribution;
(e) honour or caste indicators relied upon;
(f) pending evidence preservation issues.

(2) The court may issue appropriate directions for protection of victims and witnesses, preservation of evidence, prevention of intimidation, or correction of investigation deficiencies, without prejudice to the rights of the accused.

45. Prevention of Escalation to Murder

(1) Where a case is classified as Tier II or Tier III, the Protection Cell and police shall prepare an Escalation Prevention Plan.
(2) The plan may include:

(a) immediate safe accommodation;
(b) police escort;
(c) restraint against named persons from contacting or approaching the threatened person;
(d) recovery of unlawfully withheld documents, phones or money;
(e) confidentiality of address;

(f) prevention of coercive assembly;
(g) monitoring of threats, pursuit or tracking;
(h) legal aid for protection proceedings;
(i) screening of counter-cases;
(j) periodic review by a senior officer.

(3) The plan shall be reviewed periodically until the threat has abated.
(4) Where the threatened person declines safe-house accommodation or police protection, such refusal shall be recorded, but the authorities shall continue to offer assistance and shall not treat refusal as waiver of future protection.

46. Safeguard against Misuse of Tier Classification

(1) No adverse inference shall be drawn against any person merely because the matter has been classified under any tier.
(2) No arrest, search, seizure, freezing of account, digital extraction, call data requisition or coercive investigative step shall be undertaken except in accordance with law and on specific material justifying such step.
(3) No person shall be included in the final report only because his or her name appeared in a protection complaint, threat assessment or risk classification form.
(4) The investigating officer shall distinguish between:

(a) persons from whom protection is sought;
(b) persons requiring enquiry;
(c) persons against whom prima facie offence material exists;
(d) persons against whom final report is justified.

Explanation. — A protection complaint may name persons out of fear. Criminal prosecution requires legally admissible material showing individual involvement.

47. Fair Investigation Duty

(1) The investigating officer shall investigate both inculpatory and exculpatory material.
(2) The investigating officer shall not suppress material showing that a named person had no role, was not present, did not share the unlawful object, attempted to prevent violence, or merely expressed non-coercive disagreement.
(3) Where any person is excluded from the final report despite being named, brief reasons shall be recorded in the case diary or final report, as the case may be.
(4) This provision shall not create a right in any suspect to access the case diary except as permitted by law.

48. Effect of Non-Compliance

(1) Non-compliance with this Chapter shall not by itself vitiate the trial unless prejudice is shown.
(2) However, deliberate or reckless failure to conduct threat assessment, preserve material evidence, protect witnesses, record caste or honour indicators, or prevent known escalation shall be subject to departmental review and, where the ingredients are satisfied, prosecution for wilful neglect under this Act.
(3) The Special Court may consider serious investigative failure while deciding applications for further investigation, protection, bail conditions, witness protection, compensation or departmental reference.

CHAPER VI
VICTIM, SURVIVOR AND WITNESS PROTECTION

49. Protection Orders
(1) The Protection Cell, police authority, Magistrate or Special Court may issue protection orders restraining any person from:

i. threatening, contacting, following or approaching the threatened person;
ii. disclosing the address, phone number, workplace, educational institution or safe-house location of the threatened person;
iii. interfering with marriage registration, residence, employment, education or movement;
iv. organising or participating in coercive assemblies;
v. imposing social or economic boycott;
vi. intimidating witnesses, surviving partners or family members of the victim.
(2) Breach of a protection order shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three years and with fine, in addition to any other offence made out.

50. Safe Accommodation and Relocation
(1) The State Government shall establish or notify safe houses in each district for threatened persons, couples, surviving partners, witnesses and families at risk.
(2) Safe accommodation shall be provided without moral enquiry into the relationship, caste, religion or family approval of the threatened person.
(3) The location of safe houses and residents shall be confidential.
(4) Relocation assistance may be provided where continued residence in the same locality exposes the person to danger, intimidation, boycott or retaliation.

51. Interim Relief and Rehabilitation
(1) The State Government shall provide immediate interim financial assistance to victims, surviving spouses, partners, dependents or threatened persons requiring urgent support.
(2) Rehabilitation may include:
(a) safe housing;

(b) subsistence allowance;
(c) legal aid;
(d) medical care;
(e) trauma counselling;
(f) educational continuity;
(g) employment support;
(h) relocation expenses;
(i) protection of documents and identity;
(j) support for children and dependents.
(3) Compensation under this Act shall be in addition to compensation available under any other law or scheme.

52. Witness Protection
(1) The Special Court or competent authority shall assess witness vulnerability in every serious case under this Act.
(2) Witness protection may include police protection, relocation, confidentiality of identity or address, secure transport to court, video-conference testimony where permissible, protection against social or economic boycott, and measures against intimidation.
(3) Particular care shall be taken where witnesses live in the same village, locality, caste geography, employment network or dependency structure as the accused.
53. Protection of Minors, Dependent Children and Child Witnesses
(1) Where any child is exposed to violence against children by reason of any honour-based or caste-based motive, the police officer, Protection Cell or competent authority receiving such information shall immediately take steps to secure the safety of such child.
(2) The police officer or Protection Cell shall, without delay, refer the matter to the competent child protection authority, including the Child Welfare Committee, Child Welfare Police Officer, Special Juvenile Police Unit,

District Child Protection Unit or any other authority competent under the law for the time being in force.
(3) Pending action by the competent child protection authority, the police officer or Protection Cell shall ensure that the child is not left in the custody, control or physical proximity of any person against whom there is credible material of threat, coercion, confinement, forced marriage, violence, intimidation, retaliation or honour-based or caste-b