Manu Smriti - Hindu Online

8.31. He who says, ’This belongs to me,’ must be examined according to the rule; if he accurately describes the
shape, and the number (of the articles found) and so forth, (he is) the owner, (and) ought (to receive) that
property.
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8.32. But if he does not really know the time and the place (where it was) lost, its colour, shape, and size, he is
worthy of a fine equal (in value) to the (object claimed).
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8.33. Now the king, remembering the duty of good men, may take one-sixth part of property lost and afterwards
found, or one-tenth, or at least one-twelfth.
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8.34. Property lost and afterwards found (by the king’s servants) shall remain in the keeping of (special)
officials; those whom the king may convict of stealing it, he shall cause to be slain by an elephant.
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8.35. From that man who shall truly say with respect to treasure-trove, ’This belongs to me,’ the king may take
one-sixth or one-twelfth part.
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8.36. But he who falsely says (so), shall be fined in one-eighth of his property, or, a calculation of (the value of)
the treasure having been made, in some smaller portion (of that).
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8.37. When a learned Brahmana has found treasure, deposited in former (times), he may take even the whole (of
it); for he is master of everything.
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8.38. When the king finds treasure of old concealed in the ground let him give one half to Brahmanas and place
the (other) half in his treasury.
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8.39. The king obtains one half of ancient hoards and metals (found) in the ground, by reason of (his giving)
protection, (and) because he is the lord of the soil.
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8.40. Property stolen by thieves must be restored by the king to (men of) all castes (varna); a king who uses
such (property) for himself incurs the guilt of a thief.
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