Assam passes anti-polygamy bill with 10-year jail provision

The Assam assembly on Thursday passed the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, which bans the act in the state.

- Biswa Kalyan Purkayastha

Himanta Biswa Sarma

The new law prescribes a maximum punishment of 10 years' imprisonment for offenders, and up to two years' imprisonment for parents, priests, quazis and others who facilitate such marriages.

The bill was placed before the assembly on November 25, and was taken up for discussion on Thursday, when it was passed.

As per the Bill, any individual who already has a living spouse or whose previous marriage has not been legally dissolved will be barred from contracting another marriage. The legislation also criminalises concealing an existing marriage while entering into a subsequent one.