Hindu Administrative Institutions c10.s3.67

c10.s3.67

Besides judicial enquiry, the *Arthaśāstra* recommends another method by which one could get at the truth. This is through the instrument of special police officers.¹ The following one or two examples would show how this was effective in detecting and suppressing people of criminal tendencies. If a judge were suspected of bribery and corruption, an informant would be set upon him. He would go to him as a friend of one whose case was pending final disposal, and offer him a certain amount so that the judgment would be in his favour. If the offer was accepted he was charged guilty and punished. In the same way one who is suspected of manufacturing counterfeit coins might be approached by another the latter offering himself for apprenticeship. While under his service, the manufacturers could be betrayed and brought to book.²