Uttarakhand UCC Stricter: 7 Years Jail for Forced Marriages, Dual Relationships

• Uttarakhand's Uniform Civil Code (UCC) has been amended, introducing stricter penal provisions for marriage and live-in relationships.
• Coercion, fraud, or false information in marriage or live-in relationships can now lead to up to seven years of imprisonment.
• Entering a second marriage or live-in relationship without legal divorce, or forming a dual live-in relationship, also carries a seven-year jail term.
• Live-in relationships with minors can result in up to six months imprisonment or a Rs 50,000 fine, or both.
• Concealing identity for marriage is now grounds for annulment, and illegal divorce can lead to three years imprisonment and a fine.

Why It Matters: Uttarakhand's amended UCC imposes severe penalties for fraudulent, forced, or dual relationships, enhancing accountability.