Studies in Ancient Hindu Polity (Based on the Arthashastra of Kautilya), Vol. I c14.s1.22

c14.s1.22

² It has been pointed out, while dealing with legal procedure, that three witnesses either approved by both parties (अनुमताः), trustworthy (प्रात्ययिकाः), or pure (शुचयः) served the purpose best. In a suit for debt, however, two witnesses approved by the parties might be sufficient, but never one. For a parallel rule as to the number of witnesses, see Yājñ., II, 69, 70; Manu, VIII, 60, 77.