The Supreme Court has rightly extended domestic cruelty protection to women in "marriage-like" live-in relationships. This welcome decision aligns criminal law with evolving social realities, acknowledging abuse's impact regardless of formal solemnization. It ensures women in such relationships receive criminal law protection, not solely civil remedies, prioritizing substance over legal form. Addressing pervasive intimate partner violence, the Court adopted an expansive interpretation of Section 498A. By mandating safeguards, the judgment achieves a careful, necessary balance, supporting vulnerable women while recognizing specific challenges and upholding legal principles against abuse.