Hindu Administrative Institutions c10.s4.17

c10.s4.17

We have again evidence of an open trial in the court, by the judge and jurors and that in the absence of the king. The subject of the case was the secret murder of a woman in a garden and robbing her of all her jewels in the *Mṛichchakaṭika*.² This is in conformity with the ruling of Yājñavalkya that secret murders should be enquired on evidence.³ Saṃsthānaka, brother-in-law of Pālaka, the ruling chieftain of Ujjain, bore ill-will against the munificent Brahman Chārudatta beloved by Vasantasena, a young courtesan of the city. One evening when the latter was returning home alone as usual, Saṃsthānaka pursued her to the garden, stripped her of all her jewels and even strangled her. As this was known to his servant, Saṃsthānaka had him enchained. The next morning he appeared before the hall of justice and preferred a plaint against Chārudatta accusing him of the murder and robbery of Vasantasena. The *adhikaraṇika* (judge), the *śreṣṭin* (provost), the *kāyasta* (the recorder or scribe) formed the jury of the court. In the course of the trial they sent for the mother of the courtesan lady as well as Chārudatta by summons. With