Disobedience of any court order—whether it is a Protection Order, Residence Order, or Monetary Relief Order—can lead to criminal punishment under Section 31 of the DV Act. The penalty includes:
a) Imprisonment up to 1 year, or
b) Fine up to Rs. 20,000, or both.
This provision ensures that court orders are taken seriously and gives legal teeth to the otherwise civil structure of the DV Act. It sends a strong message that ignoring the court’s directions in domestic violence cases will not be tolerated.