Hindu Marriage Act Section 17 — Punishment of bigamy

General

Summary

If a Hindu marries again while their earlier husband or wife is still alive, that second marriage is considered legally invalid from the start. Because of this, the person who remarries can be punished under the Indian Penal Code for the offence of bigamy, just as the law provides for such cases.

Official 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.