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Uttarakhand has amended its Uniform Civil Code to introduce strict penalties for forced marriages, illegal live-in relationships, false information, and unlawful divorces. The changes aim to strengthen enforcement, protect citizens’ rights, and close gaps found during implementation.
Uttarakhand Tightens Its Uniform Civil Code
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has significantly strengthened its Uniform Civil Code (UCC) by issuing an Amendment Ordinance that introduces much harsher punishments for violations related to marriage and live-in relationships. The ordinance has received the assent of Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (retd), making the new provisions legally enforceable.
One of the most important changes under the amended UCC is the introduction of severe punishments for marriages or live-in relationships entered through force, coercion, or fraud. Anyone found guilty of using such methods can now face imprisonment of up to seven years. This marks a major shift toward treating such acts as serious criminal offences rather than civil violations.
The ordinance also makes it illegal for a married person to enter into another marriage or a live-in relationship without obtaining a lawful divorce. Violators can face up to seven years in jail. Similarly, a person already in a live-in relationship cannot legally enter into another such relationship at the same time, with the same maximum punishment prescribed.
Special provisions have been included to safeguard minors. Any adult found in a live-in relationship with a minor will face simple imprisonment of up to six months and a fine of up to ₹50,000, or both. Failure to pay the fine could result in additional imprisonment.
The amendment criminalizes the act of submitting false information or concealing facts for the purpose of marriage or live-in relationships. Such offences will now be prosecuted under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, forcing or inducing someone to observe banned practices before remarriage can attract up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh.
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Divorce obtained through illegal means will now be punishable with imprisonment of up to three years and a fine. However, cases involving child marriage will continue to be governed by the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, ensuring continuity with existing national law.
The amendment also introduces several administrative changes to improve enforcement. The post of “additional secretary” has been designated as the competent authority under Section 12. If a sub-registrar fails to act within the stipulated time, cases will be automatically forwarded to higher authorities. A formal right to appeal against penalties imposed on sub-registrars has also been introduced.
Misrepresentation of identity has been made a valid ground for annulment of marriage. Registrars are now empowered to issue termination certificates for live-in relationships and cancel registrations related to marriage, divorce, succession, and live-in arrangements.
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Officials said the amendments were introduced after reviewing the UCC’s performance over the past year. The goal, they said, is to make the law clearer, more effective, and better equipped to protect citizens’ rights while improving administrative efficiency.
