A. Hariprasad, J.—The startling legal question that crops up for determination in this proceedings under Section 482 Cr.P.C is the following :

Can a daughter-in-law arraign lover/paramour of her mother-in-law as a co-respondent in an application under Section 12 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (in short ‘the Act’) alleging domestic violence on the premise that they are in a ‘domestic relationship’?

2. Relevant facts in brief :

Petitioner herein is the second respondent before the trial court. First respondent before the trial court is the second respondent in this petition. The petitioner before the court below is the first respondent in this proceedings.

3. For convenience and clarity, the parties are referred to in their respective ranks in the proceedings before the trial court. First respondent’s son deceased Radhakrishnan married the petitioner on 16-01-2005. In Annexure 1 petition, the petitioner has levelled lot of allegations about the character and conduct of the first respondent. The petitioner has gone to the extent of alleging that the first respondent is leading a amoral life; indulging in a promiscuous life and engaging in illicit disti