Assam Assembly clears landmark anti-polygamy bill with compensation clause

One of India’s strongest anti-polygamy laws with victim compensation provision

November 27, 2025

Up to 10 years in jail for hiding first marriage before remarriage

Bill exempts Scheduled Tribe communities under constitutional autonomy

The Assam Legislative Assembly on Thursday passed a bill banning polygamy in the state, making it a punishable offence with imprisonment of up to seven years and a provision for financial compensation to affected women, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed.

Titled the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, the legislation was described by Sarma as the state’s first major step toward adopting laws aligned with the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) framework introduced by Uttarakhand earlier.

The bill imposed strict penalties for unlawful remarriage when a first marriage was still legally valid. Under its provisions, any individual found guilty of entering into a second marriage without legally dissolving or annulling the previous one could be jailed for up to seven years. The punishment increased to 10 years along with fines for those who concealed an existing marriage before remarrying.

The legislation exempted Scheduled Tribes and regions protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which granted special autonomy to tribal areas in Assam and other northeastern states.

The bill defined polygamy as marrying or being married to more than one individual while either of the parties already had a living and legally undissolved spouse, without formal divorce or annulment.

Legal consequences were extended beyond those contracting polygamous marriages. A village head, qazi, parent or legal guardian found to have intentionally concealed key marital facts or participated dishonestly in facilitating a polygamous marriage faced up to two years in jail and fines of up to ₹1 lakh. Similarly, any person who knowingly solemnised a marriage violating the law was liable for up to two years of imprisonment or fines of up to ₹1.50 lakh.

For repeat offenders, the penalties were doubled with each subsequent offence, reflecting the bill’s deterrence-heavy stance. The law also embedded compensation for victim women, acknowledging the hardships and suffering caused by polygamous marriages.

Linking the bill to the broader UCC push, Sarma had reiterated during the assembly session that the polygamy ban was an opening step toward UCC adoption in Assam. He had previously stated that the civil code focused on preventing underage marriage, banning polygamy, unifying inheritance laws and regulating live-in relationship registration, while keeping religious and traditional rituals outside its scope.

While tabling the bill, Sarma underscored that women’s rights in Assam “would not be compromised”. He stated that the government had moved forward with a firm resolve to secure justice, dignity and legal safeguards for women. In a social media statement, he termed the bill a reflection of Assam’s commitment to Nari Shakti and strengthening the role of women in society.

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