According to the law, polygamy is when one wife is currently married to another or more than one. According to the law, one wife cannot marry another while still alive. However, if a person is required to remarry while one wife is present, he must apply to the chairman of the union council in the area of the last wife of his current wife or wives for permission to remarry. According to section 7 of the Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1971 , marriage cannot be registered without the consent of the arbitral tribunal in case of second marriage. One has to apply to the chairman for a fee for permission and in consideration of the application, one of the things to be considered for permission of marriage is 1. Current wife's infertility , II. Severe physical weakness , 3. Physical disability related to marital life , 4. Exclusion of any order or decree issued by the court for the restoration of marital rights , 5. Mental illness etc. What is the punishment for remarrying without permission? If a man remarries without the permission of the arbitral tribunal , he will immediately pay the full amount of the immediate or delayed dowry to his current wife or wives immediately. Current spouses can file for divorce in a court of law. Due to the second marriage, the first wife will get alimony even if she lives separately. Parents are legally obliged to support minor children living with their first wife. In addition to maintenance, the wife and children will inherit. If the mohrana money is not paid, the arrears of land will be collected as revenue. In addition, if convicted, he will be sentenced to one year in jail and a fine of up to Tk 10,000 or both. In addition, under Section 494 of the Penal Code 180 , if the husband remarries during the lifetime of the wife, the person is liable to imprisonment for any term up to seven years , plus a fine. Author: Lawyer , Bangladesh Supreme Court