Proof of Saptapadi Ceremony Not Required at the Cognizance Stage in a Bigamy Complaint: Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand High Court has made an important ruling regarding cases of bigamy under Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Court clarified that proving whether the essential ceremonies of a second marriage, such as Saptapadi, were performed is a matter to be decided during the trial, not at the initial stage of taking cognizance. This decision provides relief to accused persons, emphasizing that detailed evidence about marriage…