The section 18 Hindu Marriage Act provides punishment for solemnizing marriage in contravention of section 5 of the Hindu Marriage Act. Section 5 mandates few conditions for a valid marriage. Fulfillment of these conditions are mandatory. If marriage is solemnized in contravention of these conditions, it is punishable under section 18.
If age of bride or bridegroom is below the age of 18 and 21 years respectively, it is punishable with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both.
Marriage solemnized between prohibited relationship or sapinds is punishable with simple imprisonment which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both.
Section 18 read as:
Section 18: Punishment for contravention of certain other conditions for a Hindu marriage
Every person who procures a marriage of himself or herself to be solemnized under this Act in contravention of the conditions specified in clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) of Section 5 shall be punishable—
[(a) in the case of a contravention of the condition specified in clause (iii) of Section 5, with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees, or with both;
(b) in the case of a contravention of the condition specified in clause (iv) or clause (v) of Section 5, with simple imprisonment which may extend to one month, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both [* * *];
(c) [* * *]
