A Bihar man's attempt at bigamy recently took a chaotic turn as his current wife showed up for the ceremony. The incident took place in Bhagalpur with the two women clashing dramatically ahead of the nuptials on December 10. The wedding was ultimately cancelled after the family of the bride-to-be came to know about his actual relationship status.
According to reports, Manoj Pandit and Sekha Devi had had a love marriage some time earlier. The relationship however turned sour despite efforts at reconciliation — with the matter eventually ending up in court. It was at this time that Pandit's family decided to move forward despite the ongoing legal battle. His father Basuki Pandit and other relatives had reportedly arranged the second marriage — while hiding the details of his ongoing marriage.
The wedding was scheduled for December 10 and pre-wedding rituals such as the haldi and mehendi ceremonies were underway when Sekha Devi confronted the family. She had discovered the plans for her husband's second marriage and visited the home of her ‘successor’ along with her mother.
According to reports, the group engaged in an intense showdown with Sekha revealing that Pandit was already married. The revelation prompted the family to immediately call of the wedding — with the ongoing festivities coming to an abrupt end.
Bigamy is a criminal offense in India that can be punished with imprisonment up to seven years, a fine, or both.
“Whoever, having a husband or wife living, marries in any case in which such marriage is void by reason of its taking place during the life of such husband or wife, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine,” explains section 82 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
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