Guwahati: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) is preparing legislation to regulate live-in relationships and customary marriages in the Khasi Hills and address practices such as bigamy and polygamy.
KHADC Executive Member in-charge of Law and Legal Matters Deity H. Majaw said the proposed Khasi Hills Autonomous District Regulation and Registration of Marriages, 2026 would provide a framework to regulate and register marriages while addressing gaps in the existing legal system.
Majaw was speaking at a consultation on the implementation of the Meghalaya Marriage Registration Act, 2012, organised by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women at the State Convention Centre on Tuesday.
She said the proposed Bill would include provisions to regulate live-in relationships, for which there is currently no specific authority or mechanism to address disputes and other issues.
The legislation would also seek to prevent bigamy and polygamy by establishing a legal framework for customary marriages and relationships.
Majaw said the KHADC currently has jurisdiction over Christian marriages and related divorce matters under the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District Christian Marriage Act, 1954. However, it does not have a specific legal framework governing customary marriages and their dissolution.
The Executive Committee had consulted judges and legal experts before deciding to work towards codifying laws on customary marriages and live-in relationships, she said.
Majaw said regulation of live-in relationships was particularly important when such relationships break down and either partner subsequently enters another marriage. A formal framework for customary marriages could also help address bigamy and polygamy.
She also stressed the need to empower Rangbah Shnong to register customary marriages, saying traditional institutions could play an important role in ensuring that such marriages are formally recorded.
Majaw pointed to limited awareness and weak implementation of the Meghalaya Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act, particularly in rural areas. Drawing on her work with the Meghalaya State Commission for Women, she said several women had approached the Commission seeking maintenance after marital relationships broke down, while some were unaware of legal provisions intended to protect their rights.
She said she hopes the proposed legislation would be taken forward under the leadership of KHADC Chief Executive Member Winston Tony Lyngdoh and implemented in the coming months.
The consultation, organised with support from the National Commission for Women, brought together legal practitioners, marriage registrars, social activists and representatives of traditional and religious institutions.
Discussions covered marriage registration procedures, maintenance and safeguards for women, harmonisation of customary practices with statutory requirements, grassroots awareness, digital access, social welfare and child protection, as well as legal enforcement in inter-faith and inter-community marriages.
Working groups and a plenary session were also held to formulate recommendations and action points.