If your sister is facing both psychological and physical domestic violence, understanding the comprehensive legal advice and remedies genuinely available to help her is important.

The most immediate and directly applicable legal framework is the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, which specifically and comprehensively addresses both physical and psychological forms of abuse, since this Act's definition of "domestic violence" under Section 3 specifically encompasses physical abuse causing bodily pain, harm, or danger to life, and, importantly, mental abuse including insults, ridicule, and humiliation, meaning your sister's specific experience of both dimensions genuinely falls squarely within this Act's protective scope.

Under this Act, your sister can seek a Protection Order under Section 18, specifically restraining the abusive party from committing further acts of violence or harassment, a Residence Order under Section 19, ensuring her right to remain in the shared household or, where genuinely necessary given safety concerns, securing appropriate alternative accommodation, Monetary Relief under Section 20, addressing her financial needs and any expenses connected to the abuse, and Compensation under Section 22, addressing the specific injuries and emotional distress she has genuinely suffered.

To pursue this specific remedy, your sister would file an application under Section 12 of this Act before the Magistrate having jurisdiction, and it is worth understanding a Protection Officer, specifically appointed under this Act in every district, can provide direct and valuable assistance in preparing and filing this application, meaning she does not necessarily need to have already independently engaged an advocate to begin accessing this specific support.

Given the specific physical abuse she has experienced, it is essential she also file a criminal complaint with the police, invoking Sections 85 and 86 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS), addressing cruelty by a husband or his relatives, and, given the specific physical violence involved, Section 115 or Section 117, addressing voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt, ensuring proper criminal accountability for this specific conduct.

If she wishes to pursue divorce given this pattern of abuse, this combination of physical and psychological mistreatment provides genuinely strong and compelling grounds under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, addressing cruelty, and it is worth ensuring this specific and comprehensive pattern of abuse is properly documented to support this eventual matrimonial remedy.

To properly build her overall case across these various remedies, it is essential to help her document this abuse thoroughly, including specific incidents with dates, medical records documenting any physical injuries, photographs where available, and, importantly, any records connected to the psychological abuse, such as messages or witness accounts reflecting the specific pattern of insults, humiliation, or emotional control she has experienced.

If she has genuine and immediate safety concerns, it is essential that her immediate physical safety takes absolute priority, whether through leaving to stay with you or other family members, contacting the police directly for urgent assistance, or reaching out to the National Commission for Women's helpline or local women's helplines for immediate guidance and support.

If she is genuinely hesitant to pursue formal legal action given fear, financial dependency, or other genuine barriers many survivors of domestic violence face, it is worth approaching this with genuine patience and understanding, continuing to offer your support and information without pressuring her into action she does not feel ready for, while remaining genuinely available and consistent in your offer of help.

If cost is a genuine concern, it is worth understanding she is specifically entitled to free legal aid through the District Legal Services Authority under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, regardless of her income level, given women's specific entitlement to this assistance.

Given how genuinely important it is to properly and comprehensively support your sister given this genuinely serious combination of abuse, it is worth consulting an experienced family law advocate to properly understand the complete range of remedies available to her. You can reach out via Aapka Legal Advice for compassionate guidance on the comprehensive legal remedies available to your sister given this psychological and physical domestic violence.

You can review Top Divorce Lawyers in India | Aapka Legal Advice for relevant experience.

Many people find real value in obtaining an independent, experienced perspective from the panel of retired judges available through certain legal consultation platforms.

If formal legal representation is required, engaging an experienced advocate will ensure your sister's safety and legal rights are both properly and urgently protected.

In summary, legal advice for a sister facing both psychological and physical domestic violence includes immediately prioritising her safety, pursuing comprehensive relief under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 including Protection Orders, Residence Orders, and Monetary Relief, filing a criminal complaint under Sections 85, 86, 115, or 117 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 given the physical abuse, and, where she chooses this path, pursuing divorce on the ground of cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, with free legal aid available through the District Legal Services Authority to address any financial constraints.