he Mizoram Legislative Assembly on February 24 unanimously passed a Bill amending the Mizo Marriage, Divorce and Inheritance of Property Act, 2014, formally banning polygamy and introducing wide-ranging reforms to customary marriage practices in the state.
The legislation was introduced by Chief Minister Lalduhoma in his capacity as Minister for Law and Judicial Affairs. The amended Act prohibits any individual from taking a second spouse while a previous marriage remains legally valid, effectively outlawing polygamy and bigamy under customary law.
The reforms align Mizoram’s legal framework with the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which criminalises bigamy and polygamy. Under the revised provisions, individuals seeking to remarry must produce a valid divorce certificate issued by the competent separation authority.
The amended law also strengthens protections for women, particularly in matters of property and financial security. In cases of divorce or separation, traditionally referred to as ‘Sum Chhuah’, women will retain rights over jointly acquired property and assets, marking a significant shift from earlier customary practices.
Another key provision states that a Mizo woman who marries a non-Mizo will forfeit her Mizo status and associated entitlements. This includes her children’s eligibility for Scheduled Tribe status under the state’s jurisdiction.
The legislation also removes “leprosy” as a ground for divorce, recognising it as a treatable medical condition rather than a fault-based cause for marital dissolution.
The amended Act will apply across Mizoram, except in the three Autonomous District Councils, which continue to follow their respective customary legal frameworks.
Also read: Assam govt tables bill to ban polygamy
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