In ancient Hindu legal tradition, while there was a distinct sense of privilege towards higher castes, particularly Brahmins, no social status created absolute immunity from committing crimes. Indeed, while texts acknowledge that Brahmins were largely exempt from corporal punishment, they explicitly emphasize that their actions were always subject to consequences and sanctions. In particular, it is stated that even the king, considered the highest authority, was accountable before the law; thus, the principle of universal binding law is reinforced. This is clearly demonstrated in the Manu Code through the king's criminal responsibility: "For if a common man is fined one karṣapāṇa, the king shall be fined a thousand karṣapāṇa; this is the established rule" (MS, VIII.000). This statement shows that the idea of ​​equality before the law was accepted, albeit in a limited way, at a principled level.