Hindu Administrative Institutions c10.s4.21

c10.s4.21

great fear both of them entered the court and were examined and cross-examined. The evidence of both did not betoken guilt on their part. But the entry of Maitreya, the friend of Chārudatta, with a casket of jewels belonging to Vasantasena and the careless dropping of the same in the hall were eloquent proof of the guilt, and hence Chārudatta was declared a culprit though no confession of crime was elicited from him. He was placed under the charge of the king's servants who took the verdict and the recommendation of the jury to the king for his final decision and judgment. Then the jury addressed Chārudatta thus: निर्णये वयं प्रमाणम् । शेषे तु राजा ॥ Their recommendation was that ‘this is the Brahman charged with the murder of a woman and theft of her jewels. According to Manu there is no punishment of death for a Brahman but only banishment and that without prejudice to his property.’¹