A violation of this rule was liable to punishment. ‘In case of violating this rule he shall be made to pay her not only Sulka, her property, and an adequate monetary compensation, but also a fine of twenty- four panas to the government.

Having given the necessary amount of Sulka and property, even to those women who have not received such things on the occasion of their marriage with him, and also having given his wives the proportionate compensation and an adequate subsistence, he may marry any number of women.’

Hence, polygamy was a recognized custom, any negligence on the part of the husband to any one of his wives could be brought to the notice of the court, and he had to pay ‘a fine of ninety-six panas.’

So Kautilya’s laws were framed in favour of women. A woman could abandon her husband in the following cases: