IPC Section 494 = BNS Section 82

Marrying Again During Lifetime of Husband or Wife (Bigamy)

पति या पत्नी के जीवनकाल में पुनर्विवाह (द्विविवाह)

Offences Relating to Marriage No Change in Punishment Cognizable Non-Bailable Updated: 2026-02-28

Overview

Section 494 of the IPC dealt with bigamy — marrying again during the lifetime of husband or wife. Under BNS 2023, this is now Section 82.

Hindi IPC की धारा 494 द्विविवाह (पति या पत्नी के जीवनकाल में पुनर्विवाह) से संबंधित थी। BNS 2023 के तहत यह अब धारा 82 है।

Side-by-Side Comparison

Aspect IPC (Old) BNS (New)
Section Number Section 494 Section 82
Title Marrying Again During Lifetime of Husband or Wife (Bigamy) Bigamy
Punishment Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine
Cognizable Yes — Police can arrest without warrant
Bailable No — Bail at the discretion of the court
Compoundable Yes — Can be settled between parties
Triable By Magistrate of the First Class

Key Changes

  • Section number changed from IPC 494 to BNS 82
  • Punishment remains the same
  • No substantive changes

Ingredients of the Offence

To establish this offence, the prosecution must prove:

  1. 1 The accused married while having a living spouse
  2. 2 The first marriage had not been declared void by a court
  3. 3 The second marriage was void by reason of its taking place during the life of the first spouse

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BNS equivalent of IPC Section 494?

IPC Section 494 (Marrying Again During Lifetime of Husband or Wife (Bigamy)) is now BNS Section 82 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, effective from July 1, 2024.

Has the punishment changed from IPC 494 to BNS 82?

No, the punishment remains substantially the same. Under BNS 82: Imprisonment up to 7 years and fine.

Is BNS Section 82 cognizable?

Yes, BNS Section 82 is a cognizable, non-bailable, and compoundable offence.

Legal Disclaimer

This IPC-to-BNS section comparison is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. The mapping may not cover all nuances introduced by the new law. Always consult a qualified advocate or legal professional before relying on this information. For more details, see our Disclaimer.

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