Public Administration in Ancient India c15.64

c15.64

The first important step in the trial was the statement of the case by the plaintiff.² He had to cause the plaint to be put in writing, either by the officer of the court or by his legal adviser. A great deal of care, it seems, had to be taken in the preparation of the plaint, for Nārada mentions the following as the defects of a plaint, namely, "(1) if it relates to a different subject, (2) if it is unmeaning, (3) if the amount claimed has not been properly stated, (4) if it is wanting in propriety, (5) if the writing is deficient, or (6) redundant, (7) if it has been damaged."³ A small verbal error, however, did not vitiate the plaint.⁴ On the other hand, a plaint, though otherwise faultless, was held as incorrect if it was contrary to established law and usage.⁵