Overview
- The Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025 would criminalize polygamy with rigorous imprisonment of up to seven years.
- Concealing an existing marriage could draw up to 10 years in jail, and abettors such as Kazis, priests or guardians could face up to two years.
- A state-funded compensation mechanism is proposed to support women identified as victims of polygamy, with specifics to be set in rules.
- The proposal excludes Scheduled Tribe communities and Sixth Schedule areas, including Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and parts of the Bodo Territorial Region.
- Reports conflict on enforcement, with some describing the offence as cognizable and others quoting the chief minister calling it non-cognizable with restricted bail.