Law Commission recommends “swift legislative action” against bigamy in Hindus

New Delhi: Claiming that the historical data was indicative of the fact that many Hindus converted to Islam in order to practise bigamy, Law Commission has suggested “swift legislative action” against bigamy in Hindus. It cited various reports and Supreme Court orders and said despite a law against it, bigamy among Hindus continued to exist and had local recognition.

Latest Laws has quoted the Law Commission as stating, “Anthropological Evidence has shown that bigamous arrangements among Hindus continue to exist. In fact, data suggests that many Hindus convert to Islam in order to practise bigamy as highlighted by the Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India case in 1994”.

As per the Bigamy Law, Section 494 of Indian Penal Code, provides that a person shall be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to seven years if he/she marries during the lifetime of their spouse.