IPC Section 496: Marriage ceremony fraudulently gone through without 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Repealed on 1 July 2024 and replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS).
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.
CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE
Punishment-Imprisonment for 7 years and fine-Non-cognizable-Bailable-Triable by Magistrate of the first class-Non-compoundable.
State Amendment
Andhra Pradesh
Punishment-Imprisonment for 7 years and fine-Cognizable-Non-bailable-Triable by Magistrate of the first class-Non-compoundable.
[Vide Andhra Pradesh Act 3 of 1992, sec. 2 (w.e.f. 15-2-1992)].
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
- 493. Cohabitation caused by a man deceitfully inducing a belief of lawful marriage
- 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
- 497. Adultery [Declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court of India]
- 498. Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman