Is bigamy a crime in India?

Yes, bigamy is a crime in India. Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) defines bigamy as the act of marrying another person while still legally married to another person. The punishment for bigamy is imprisonment for up to seven years, a fine, or both.

Bigamy is not allowed for any religion in India, except for Islam. However, even for Muslims, bigamy is permitted only under certain conditions, such as if the first wife cannot bear children or is permanently ill.

If a person is found guilty of bigamy, the second marriage will be considered void. The first wife will be considered the legal wife and will be entitled to all the rights and privileges of being a married woman, such as maintenance and inheritance.

The second wife will not be considered a legal wife and will not have any rights or privileges under the law. She may be able to file a case for divorce or separation, but she will not be able to claim any property or assets from her husband.