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IPC, 1860
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IPCChapter XXSection 496
Section496

Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage

AI Assist

Summary

Anyone who, dishonestly or with a fraudulent intention, goes through a marriage ceremony knowing that the ceremony will not make them lawfully married commits an offence. It applies when a person stages or takes part in a sham marriage to deceive others. The penalty is imprisonment for up to seven years and a fine.

Example

Priya goes through a marriage ceremony with Rohan, but Rohan knows he is still married and that this ceremony cannot make Priya his lawful wife. Because Rohan dishonestly took part in the sham ceremony to deceive, he can be punished with up to seven years imprisonment and a fine.

Bare Act

Enacted text

Whoever, dishonestly or with a fraudulent intention, goes through the ceremony of being married, knowing that he is not thereby lawfully married, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

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XX

Chapter XX

Of Offences Relating to Marriage

In this chapter

  • 493Cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage
  • 494Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife
  • 495Same offence with concealment of former marriage from person with whom subsequent marriage is contracted
  • 496Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage
  • 497Adultery
  • 498Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman
Previous · Section 495Same offence with concealment of former marriage from person with whom subsequent marriage is contractedNext · Section 497Adultery