Chapter II POLYANDROUS MARRIAGES

Any Rudhisf. of or above the ace of eipllteen years, who. after the commencement of, this Act, contracts a polvandrous marriage or keeps or abets thb keeping of a phursak shall be lsunishable with imnrisonment of either description for a term which mav extend to three gears, @r with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with bo*.

Whoever performs, conducts or directs any polyandrous marriage shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, or with both.

(1) Where a minor contracts a polyandrous marriage, any person having charge of such minor whether as parent or guardian or in any other capacity, who does any act to promote the marriage or permits it to be solemnised, or negligently fails to prevent it from being solemnised, shall be punishable with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both. (2) For the purposes of this section, it shall be presumed, unless and until the contrary is proved, that where a minor has contracted a polyandrous marriage, the person having charge of such minor has negligently failed to prevent the marriage from being solemnised.

Notwithstanding anything contained in sections 3, 4 and 5, no woman shall be punishable with imprisonment.

Any polyandrous marriage contracted or solemnised after the enforcement of this Act shall be void.