Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said the state cabinet has approved a bill to ban polygamy, for which convicts can face up to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.
However, there may be some exceptions for Sixth Schedule areas.
Addressing a press conference after the cabinet meeting here, Sarma said the government will also create a new fund to compensate women victims of polygamy so that they do not face hardship in moving on with their lives.
“The Assam Cabinet today approved the Prohibition of Polygamy Bill. The Bill will be titled ‘Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025’. It will be tabled in the Assembly on November 25,” he added.
Sarma said that if convicted of polygamy, the accused could face a rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years.
“We have also decided to create a fund to compensate women victims. The government will provide financial assistance in required cases so that no woman faces hardships in life,” he added.
In early September in the state of Kerala, the Supreme Court ruled that it cannot accept the multiple marriages of a Muslim man who is unable to support his wives and one of them goes to court for maintenance.
The finding was made by Justice PV Kunhikrishnan when the 39-year-old native of Perinthalmanna approached the court seeking monthly maintenance. ₹10,000 from her husband who survives by begging.
