IPC Section 494. Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife

Category of Bare Act Name of the Act Year of Promulgation
Criminal Laws Indian Penal Code 1860
Act Number Enactment Date Chapter Number
45 06.10.1860 20
Chapter Title Sub-Chapter Legislated by
Of Offences Relating to Marriage - Parliament of India

Whoever, having a husband or wife living, marries in any case in which such marriage is void by reason of its taking place during the life of such husband or wife, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

nor to any person who contracts a marriage during the life of a former husband or wife, if such husband or wife, at the time of the subsequent marriage, shall have been continually absent from such person for the space of seven years, and shall not have been heard of by such person as being alive within that time provided the person contracting such subsequent marriage shall, before such marriage takes place, inform the person with whom such marriage is contracted of the real state of facts so far as the same are within his or her knowledge.

State Amendment

Andhra Pradesh

Punishment-Imprisonment for 7 years and fine-Cognizable-Non-bailable-Triable by Magistrate of the first class-Non-compoundable.

[Vide Andhra Pradesh Act 3 of 1992, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 15-2-1992)].

Offence Description Punishment provided Cognizable/Non-Cognizable
Marrying again during the lifetime of a husband or wife Imprisonment for 7 years and fine Non-Cognizable
Bailable/Non-Bailable Trial Court Details Compoundable/Non-Compoundable
Bailable Magistrate of the first class Non-Compoundable
Compoundable by Whom Concerned Ministry Concerned Department
Non-Compoundable Ministry of Home Affairs Department of Internal Security