IPC Section 493: Cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage
Indian Penal Code, 1860 · Chapter 20: Offences Relating to Marriage
Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
Every man who by deceit causes any woman who is not lawfully married to him to believe that she is lawfully married to him and to cohabit or have sexual intercourse with him in that belief, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.
CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE
Punishment-Imprisonment for 10 years and fine-Non-cognizable-Non-bailable-Triable by Magistrate of the first class-Non-compoundable.
Bare act text for reference, current to 30 June 2024. It is not legal advice; check the official gazette for authoritative text.
Other sections in this chapter
- 494. Marrying again during lifetime of husband or wife
- 495. Same offence with concealment of former marriage from person with whom subsequent marriage is contracted
- 496. Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without lawful marriage
- 497. Adultery [Declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court of India]
- 498. Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman