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Assam cabinet approves new law banning polygamy; 7-year jail term for guilty

The new legislation will have a provision of compensating the wife, depending on conditions

Published on: Nov 9, 2025, 22:28:53 IST
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GUWAHATI: The Assam cabinet on Sunday approved a new law banning polygamy, which will be tabled in the next assembly session, to be held later this month, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

“The cabinet has approved a Bill to prevent polygamy in Assam. Anyone found guilty of indulging in polygamy will face seven years imprisonment . In the new Bill, this offence (polygamy) has been made non-cognizable and those arrested under its provisions will not get bail immediately,” Sarma said after the cabinet meeting in Guwahati.

“Since the man who indulges in polygamy will be arrested and sent to prison, the new legislation will have a provision of compensating the wife, depending on conditions. We will create a separate fund for that,” he added.

Sarma stated that tribal communities in the state, which follow some customs, and the hill districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao (which come under purview of 6th Schedule of Constitution) and the areas falling in Bodo Territorial Region, which covers five districts, will be kept out of purview of the new law.

The cabinet decided to give an award of 25 lakhs to Uma Chetry, a member of the Indian women cricket team that won the ICC World Cup recently.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Utpal Parashar

A seasoned senior journalist, I have nearly three decades of experience across print, digital, and online platforms, covering political transitions, insurgencies, environmental issues, and development stories in India and Nepal. I am skilled in breaking news, leading editorial teams and launch of newspaper editions. I am adept at leveraging digital trends and social media to expand global reach, with a strong ethical foundation and a reputation for impactful journalism. An alumnus of Asian College of Journalism, I joined Hindustan Times in New Delhi as a trainee reporter in May 1997. Over the years, I have been posted in Dehradun, Kathmandu (Nepal) and Guwahati. Currently, as Senior Assistant Editor at Hindustan Times, I lead a team reporting on India’s northeastern states. My work involves in-depth analysis, and engaging multimedia storytelling across formats, including text, photo, video, and interactive content. I am skilled in producing timely, shareable content, leveraging digital platforms and social media to engage global audiences. Throughout my career with the Hindustan Times, I have led diverse editorial teams, designed capacity-building activities, and supported reporters in developing strong story ideas, ethical reporting practices, digital skills, and fact-checking techniques. As Senior Assistant Editor for Northeast India, I have been responsible for guiding correspondents through complex political, humanitarian, and community-level stories using multimedia formats. Earlier, as Foreign Correspondent in Nepal, I produced extensive reporting during Nepal’s democratic transition and the 2015 earthquake and its aftermath.

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