104 



ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF 



farther imprisonment. In general, the Ditha in Inta Chapli can fine to 

 any extent without sanction of the Bhdradar SahJid. Now and then a very 

 grave case may be carried by the Ditha himself to the Bhdradar Sabhd, 

 which then usually awards the fine suggested by him. 



But the Ditha cannot inflict any punishment touching life or limb, 

 or extending to total confiscation without first summarily reporting to and 

 obtaining the sanction of the RdJ Bhdradar Sabhd or Raja in Council. 



§ 4. Other Courts at Kathniandu. 



Besides the four courts above described, there are two Courts of Re- 

 gistry — that for houses is called the Chi-hhandel — and that for lands, the 

 BMi-hhandcl. All deeds of transfer of houses and lands are registered in 

 these courts ; and copies, with the Ldl mohr or State seal attached, furnished 

 to the parties. No sale of house or land is valid till this copy is had. 

 There is another court of special jurisdiction called the D after -khdneh, 

 in which the disputes of the soldiery relative to the lands assigned to them 

 for pay are investigated. 



None of the above courts has criminal jurisdiction, and whatever 

 penal offences may issue out of soldiers' claims, and claims relating to 

 lands and houses, are carried to the Inta Chapli. 



The Bangya-haithak or Kumdri Chok, at Kathmandu, is not a court of 

 justice but the general record office of the fisc. A separate Ditha pre- 

 sides over it. 



The whole of the courts of Kathmandu are situated within eighty or 

 ninety paces of each other. 



" The territorial limits of the metropolitan courts are the Dud Cosi, East, 

 and Trisul Ganga, West : but Bhatgaon and Patau have their own courts : 

 and every where there are village courts. Its inaccurate genius is the 

 chief characteristic of the N^pal judicial administration, as of that of the 

 whole of Asia, and indeed of Europe until late years." 



