Library/BNS/Section 83
Section 83BailablePenal

Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage

Full Text

83. Whoever, dishonestly or with a fraudulent intention, goes through the ceremony of being married, knowing that he is not thereby lawfully married, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

Plain English Summary

Penalizes anyone who dishonestly or fraudulently goes through a marriage ceremony knowing they are not thereby lawfully married. Punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine.

Key Legal Elements

  • Going through the ceremony of being married.
  • Doing so dishonestly or with a fraudulent intention.
  • Knowing that the ceremony does not result in a lawfully binding marriage.

Punishment

Imprisonment of up to 7 years, and fine.

Practical Note

Section 83 BNS replaces Section 496 of the IPC. The offence is complete when the mock ceremony is completed with a fraudulent mind. Crucially, the accused must know that the marriage is not legally binding. It is bailable and triable by a Magistrate of the first class.

हिंदी पाठ

83. जो कोई भी बेईमानी से या कपटपूर्ण इरादे से विवाह का अनुष्ठान (शादी की रस्म) पूरा करेगा, यह जानते हुए भी कि वह इस रस्म के माध्यम से कानूनी रूप से विवाहित नहीं हुआ है, उसे किसी एक अवधि के कारावास से, जो सात वर्ष तक का हो सकता है, दंडित किया जाएगा और वह जुर्माने के लिए भी उत्तरदायी होगा।