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Section 24: Court to give copies of order free of cost

Domestic Violence Act, 2005 • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
Legal Standard
Competent Court / Tribunal
Act 2005
Section 23 All 37 Sections of Domestic Violence Act, 2005 Section 25

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 24

Section 24 mandates that the Magistrate must supply certified copies of all orders passed under the DV Act free of cost to the parties, the local police station, and the concerned Protection Officer and service provider.

  • Mandatory Free Supply of Orders: The Magistrate shall in all cases order that a copy of the order passed under the Act be given free of cost to the parties to the application.
  • Police & Administrative Notification: Free copies must be delivered directly to the police officer in charge of the police station within whose jurisdiction the court operates.
  • Service Provider & Protection Officer Delivery: A copy must be furnished to the service provider and Protection Officer registered within the local limits of the court's jurisdiction to ensure immediate monitoring and enforcement.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • Shalu Ojha v. Prashant Ojha (2018) 8 SCC 452: The Supreme Court noted that the prompt delivery of free copies under Section 24 is essential for computing limitation for statutory appeals under Section 29, which runs from the date of actual service of the order.
  • V.D. Bhanot v. Savita Bhanot (2012) 3 SCC 183: Observed that the statutory communication network created by Section 24 ensures that police officers are legally apprised of protection orders, rendering respondents immediately liable for breach under Section 31.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

Always obtain the free copy stamped under Section 24 immediately upon order pronouncement. Serve one copy on the Station House Officer (SHO) of the local police station with an acknowledgment stamp to trigger immediate police protection and maintain an official diary entry (GD entry).

Section 23 All 37 Sections of Domestic Violence Act, 2005 Section 25