Question

The offence committed by someone who is already married but still goes through a marriage ceremony with someone else, is known as:

• A. bigamy
• B. annulment
• C. monogamy
• D. separation

Hint:

Use word roots to help decode these terms: Mono (one) + gamy = single marriage. Bi (two) + gamy = double marriage (which is an offense if the first marriage is still active!).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Family law and penal codes restrict marriage practices based on existing marital status. Entering a new marriage while a prior valid marriage is still active is a legally punishable offense in many jurisdictions.

Step 1: Analyzing the linguistic roots and legal definition.
The prefix "bi-" means two, and the root "-gamy" refers to marriage. Legally, bigamy is the act of entering into a marriage ceremony with a second person while still being legally married to a living spouse. Under many penal frameworks (such as Section 494 of the Indian Penal Code), this is treated as a serious criminal offense.

Step 2: Differentiating alternative marital terms.
Let's evaluate the remaining options:
• Annulment (Option B): A legal ruling that invalidates a marriage, declaring it null and void from its inception as if it never existed.
• Monogamy (Option C): The practice or legal state of being married to only one single partner at any given time.
• Separation (Option D): An arrangement where a married couple lives apart while remaining legally married. This confirms that the specific offense described is bigamy, matching Option (A).