History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v4.c63.808.3

v4.c63.808.3

(677) states the general rule that whatever is obtained (by the committee or advisers of the group) or is saved by them or whatever debts are incurred by them for their group and whatever they obtain through the king's favour should be shared equally by all (members of the group). Kāt. (674-675) provides that whatever debt was professedly incurred by the committee for the group but was misappropriated by them or applied to their individual purposes must be paid by them and that those who subsequently join the groups already formed become equally entitled to the property and liable for the debts previously acquired or incurred. Manu VIII. 220 and Bṛ. (S. B. E. vol. 33 p. 348 v. 14) provide a fine of six *niṣkas* of four suvarṇas each (or six niṣkas and four suvarṇas) for him who falls out with his associates. Kāt. (671) provides that that member (of a group) who opposes what is reasonable, who gives no scope to (i. e. obstructs or persistently interrupts) a speaker (in a meeting of the group) or who speaks absurdly should be made to pay the first amercement. Yāj. II. 187 prescribes forfeiture of all property and banishment for him who misappropriates the property of the group or corporation or who violates the conventions made by the group (or the king). As stated by the Mit. this and other sentences depended upon the nature and gravity of the offence and the capacity of the offender⁸⁵⁹.