The civil and religious code has been strangely combined in the Criminal laws of Manu Smriti. It seems to be at times that the criminal seems to be under the jurisdiction of a purely civil law. However the guilty is threatened with the most terrible punishments in various forms. It has been observed by legal experts that those punishments were cruel mutilations which were shocking to humanity. The three most prominent features of penal laws in Manu were discrepancy, severity, and a belief that justice is awarded.

It has been mentioned that if a man of low caste injures a superior then he should be mutilated then and there. An inferior abusing a superior must have his tongue cut. If he mentions their name and caste in an insulting manner then a red-hot iron spike should be thrust into his mouth. Those who commit theft should have their hands cut off thereafter which it needs to be pierced on a sharp stick. A goldsmith who cheats should have his body cut to pieces with razors.

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