Punishment of bigamy
Full Text
Any marriage between two Hindus solemnized after the commencement of this Act is void if at the date of such marriage either party had a husband or wife living; and the provisions of sections 494 and 495 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860), shall apply accordingly.
Plain English Summary
Declares any bigamous Hindu marriage void ab initio and makes it punishable under Sections 494 and 495 of the Indian Penal Code (or corresponding BNS provisions).
Key Legal Elements
- Marriage solemnized between two Hindus while having a spouse living at the time
- Such second marriage is null and void ab initio in the eyes of law
- Attracts criminal prosecution and penal sanctions under Sections 494 and 495 IPC / Section 82 BNS
Punishment
Punishable under Sections 494 & 495 IPC (imprisonment up to 7 or 10 years and fine)
Practical Note
To sustain a conviction for bigamy under Section 494 IPC/Section 82 BNS read with Section 17 HMA, strict proof of solemnization (including essential ceremonies like Saptapadi under Section 7) of the second marriage is legally indispensable (Bhaurao Lokhande v. State of Maharashtra).
हिंदी पाठ
इस अधिनियम के प्रारम्भ के पश्चात् किन्हीं दो हिन्दुओं के बीच अनुष्ठापित कोई भी विवाह शून्य है यदि ऐसे विवाह की तारीख पर दोनों पक्षों में से किसी का भी कोई जीवित पति या पत्नी थी; और भारतीय दण्ड संहिता, 1860 (1860 का 45) की धारा 494 और धारा 495 के उपबन्ध तद्नुसार लागू होंगे।