Bigamy Will Invite Punitive Action, Assam Government Warns Employees

The Assam government has barred its employees from marrying another person if the spouse is alive and warned of punitive action if they indulged in bigamy.

The 'Office Memorandum' (OM) by the personnel department, which did not mention a divorce criterion, instructed employees to obtain the government's permission before marrying another person if the spouse is alive.

"No government servant who has a wife living shall contract another marriage without first obtaining the permission of the government, notwithstanding that such subsequent marriage is permissible under the personal law for the time being applicable to him," it added.

Likewise, no female government servant shall marry any person who has a husband living without first obtaining the permission of the government, said the OM, which came into force with immediate effect.

The notification was issued by personnel additional chief secretary Niraj Verma on October 20, but it came to light on Thursday.

It said the guidelines have been issued as per the provisions of Rule 26 of The Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules 1965.

"In the context of the above provisions, the disciplinary authority may initiate immediate departmental proceeding...for imposition of major penalty, including compulsory retirement," the order stated.

It termed such a practice as a gross misconduct on the part of a government servant having "large bearings" on society.

The OM further asked authorities to also take necessary legal steps whenever such cases are detected. 

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