Indian Penal Code, 1860

IPC Chapter 20

OFFENCES RELATING TO MARRIAGE

Section 495 — Same offence with concealment of former marriage from person with whom subsequent marriage is contracted

India Code (official)

Offence

Whoever commits the offence defined in the last preceding section having concealed from the person with whom the subsequent marriage is contracted, the fact of the former marriage,

Punishment

shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine.

  • Imprisonment: ten years.

Section 497 — Adultery

India Code (official)

Offence

Whoever has sexual intercourse with a person who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of another man, without the consent or connivance of that man, such sexual intercourse not amounting to the offence of rape, is guilty of the offence of adultery, and

Punishment

shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to five years, or with fine, or with both. In such case the wife shall not be punishable as an abettor.

  • Imprisonment: five years.

Section 498 — Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman

India Code (official)

Offence

Whoever takes or entices away any woman who is and whom he knows or has reason to believe to be the wife of any other man, from that man, or from any person having the care of her on behalf of that man, with intent that she may have illicit intercourse with any person, or conceals or detains with that intent any such woman,

Punishment

shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.

  • Imprisonment: two years.