Overview

• The Allahabad High Court ruled that a Muslim man cannot be charged with bigamy under IPC Section 494 if both marriages are conducted under Mohammedan law.
• The court emphasized that polygamy is conditionally permitted under the Quran, requiring valid reasons and equal treatment of all wives, but noted its misuse by men for selfish purposes.
• Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deswal highlighted the historical context of the Quran’s allowance for polygamy, aimed at protecting orphans and widows in times of tribal conflict.
• The bench advocated for the enactment of a Uniform Civil Code to harmonize marriage laws across religions in India.
• The legal case against Furkan, which includes allegations of rape and non-disclosure of a first marriage, will proceed, with the next hearing scheduled for May 26, 2025.