Regarding domestic violence and divorce

 @ Arjun M,

Your friend needs not (NOT) to repay the amount spent by her father in-law for sending her to UK. 

She can claim maintenance from her husband as per his status and standard of living, which differs from case to case. However, compesation can be claimed from her husband on certain circumstances, which cannot be presumed by experts on this platform.  But it cannot be claimed for non-payment of money during last 2 years or so.

Quantum of money to be claimed by wife in a complaint under section 18 / 20 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 as well as under section 13 read with section(s) 24 / 25 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 depends upon various factors of the parties (between wife and husband) and same cannot be presumed by experts on this platform. Whatsoever, filing of a divorce petition should be avoided as far as possible. 

Rest 2 questions posted qua cruelty  by husband / father in-law in telling mother in-law and getting scared for threat of filing cheating case are vague and not clear.

What is your locus standi / concern about the issues confronted by your girl-friend ? Why don't you allow her to confront and solve the situation(s) /circumstances / problems of her matrimonial life ? 

It is better for your gilr-friend to consult and engage a local prudent lawyer for proper analyses of facts, professional advise and necessary proceeding.

Prima facie it is a hypothetical time pass post.

She isn't my girlfriend tbh. They've been trying to solve it and to live together. But the husband's toxic approach and violence made it this worse. When she went to a local police station, they were saying to compromise it as the FIL and MIL is 63 and 55 respectively and their approach in the police station was emotional. Also the police said the DVC case isn't strong and it won't sustain in the court. She has the threatening voice clips with her from FIL and husband which is very scary. The FIL clearly says if she goes to court, he'll make sure that her image is tarnished and people see her with a different identity. Her husband says he'll cut her legs or hands and make sure she won't move if she tries to 'trap' him. My wife is the therapist for her son and I know them personally very well.

The posting appears to be imaginary than realtime.

Even if realtime, the querist does not have the knowledge or expetise to be nay assistance to the so-called frined. How come the DV petition is proposed to be filed in the High Court of Kerala!?

She can refuse to pay the money spent by her father in law because she did not ask him to spend.

She can file DV case as well as maintenance case against her husband and his father 

She can lodge a criminal complaint against her father in law for demanding dowry and other acts of cruelty.

Firstly let she consult a local lawyer and proceed as suggested 

The facts disclosed clearly constitute acts of domestic violence, including physical, mental, verbal and economic abuse, punishable under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

The aggrieved woman is entitled to seek reliefs such as:

Protection Order (Section 18)

Residence Order (Section 19)

Monetary Relief including maintenance and expenses (Section 20)

Compensation/Damages for mental torture (Section 22)

There is no legal obligation on the wife to repay expenses incurred by the husband or his family, unless there exists a specific legally enforceable agreement. Such demands, coupled with threats, may amount to economic abuse and coercion.

The apprehension of a “cheating case” appears to be baseless and retaliatory, particularly when supported by evidence of harassment and threats.

Further, the quantum of maintenance/alimony will depend upon the husband’s income, standard of living, and circumstances of the parties; however, the wife is legally entitled to claim maintenance for the period of neglect and appropriate compensation.