Assam cabinet clears bill to make polygamy non-cognizable crime with 7-yr prison term

The Assam cabinet on Sunday approved a new law banning polygamy, which will be tabled in the next assembly session, to be held later this month, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

- Utpal Parashar

"The cabinet has approved a Bill to prevent polygamy in Assam. Anyone found guilty of indulging in polygamy will face seven years imprisonment. In the new Bill, this offence (polygamy) has been made non-cognizable and those arrested under its provisions will not get bail immediately," the chief minister said after the cabinet meeting in Guwahati.

"Since, the man who indulges in polygamy will be arrested and sent to prison, the new legislation will have a provision for conditional compensation to the wife, depending on condition. We will create a separate fund for that," he added.