Yes, and this is one of the most common and legally well-supported grounds for divorce that women pursue in Delhi, since harassment by a husband's family members — often referred to broadly as in-law harassment — can absolutely support a divorce petition under the cruelty provisions of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, particularly where the husband is complicit, indifferent, or fails to protect his wife despite being aware of the ongoing mistreatment. Section 13(1)(ia) does not require that cruelty be inflicted directly and solely by the husband himself; sustained harassment by in-laws, especially when tolerated or enabled by the husband, is well-recognised by Delhi courts as grounds for divorce.

To build a strong case, it's important to document the pattern of harassment clearly — specific incidents involving your in-laws, dates, witnesses if available, and any communications or evidence showing your husband's awareness and failure to intervene or protect you despite the ongoing mistreatment. Courts examine whether the husband's conduct, including his response or lack of response to the harassment, contributed to an environment of cruelty within the marriage as a whole.

This kind of harassment often overlaps with dowry-related cruelty, and if applicable, you may also have grounds to pursue action under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (now reflected under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), which specifically addresses cruelty by a husband or his relatives, giving you both civil divorce remedies and, where warranted, criminal recourse against those directly responsible for the harassment.

It's worth understanding that pursuing both civil divorce proceedings and any relevant criminal complaints requires careful coordination, since the evidence and strategy for each often overlap significantly, and a well-coordinated approach ensures your case is presented consistently and effectively across both fronts.

Given how emotionally and legally complex these situations can be, it is worth speaking with the team at Aapka Legal Advice to build a comprehensive strategy addressing both your divorce petition and any related protective or criminal action against the harassment you've faced.

The Best Divorce Lawyers & Retired Judges in Delhi | Aapka Legal Advice directory includes divorce lawyers experienced specifically in in-law harassment and cruelty-based matrimonial cases, along with a panel of retired judges who can offer compassionate, practical guidance through this difficult process.

In summary, a wife can absolutely file for divorce in Delhi based on harassment by her husband's family members, particularly where the husband fails to intervene or protect her. Thorough documentation of the pattern of harassment is essential to building a strong, successful case.