Assam: The Assam Polygamy Prohibition Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Assembly on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 to ban polygamy in Assam. The ban does not apply to the Sixth Schedule areas of Boroland Territorial Council (BTC), Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao. The proposal has already been submitted to the Assembly. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma introduced the bill to ban polygamy in the Assembly on Tuesday.
The five-day Assam Legislative Assembly Winter Session starts today. The Assam Polygamy Prohibition Bill, 2025 was introduced in the House with the permission of Speaker Biswajit Daimari. The bill was introduced in the Assembly in the absence of opposition Congress, CPI(M) and Raiz Dal MLAs who walked out after discussions over the death of Zubeen Garg.
The main objective of the bill is to prohibit and eradicate polygamy and polygamy in the state. However, the provisions of the bill will not apply to any ST members in the Sixth Schedule areas.
The bill states that, when one already has a living spouse from whom he is not legally divorced or their marriage is not legally declared null and void, one cannot marry or enter into marriage with another person.
What are the penalties for polygamy?
The bill proposes that, anyone who goes for polygamy can be imprisoned for up to seven years and fined as prescribed by law.
Anyone who conceals their current marriage and remarries faces 10 years in prison and a fine.
Under the proposed legislation, the bill proposes that an offender who commits the offense again would be sentenced to twice the penalty prescribed for each subsequent offence.
A village headman, parent or legal guardian who dishonestly conceals information or willfully participates in conducting a polygamous marriage can be sentenced to imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Any person who knowingly solemnizes a marriage in violation of the proposed law can be punished with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to Rs 1.50 lakh.
The bill further proposes that, a person who commits polygamy and is convicted by a court under this new law shall not be entitled to any public employment and government appointment.
In addition, the person cannot be a beneficiary of any scheme funded or assisted by the State Government and cannot contest any election for Panchayat, Municipal Corporation etc.
The proposed legislation would provide compensation to victimized women for the hardships caused by polygamy.
