The stories and their import are multidimensional. It is not a simple binary yes - no answer. When such a harsh punishment is proposed, the guilty party will normally become tense and expose his guilt by some emotions or gestures. A wise judge will sense who is guilty and decide who is guilty before the the test is forced. There are such stories in the lives of azhwars and nayanmars. This is a true story. When we, a group of school boys, were playing in a room, there was a really obnoxious output from one; and no one acknowledged the act. A wise senior said - the culprit's left palm will be yellow because of sulphur. The 'gasser' was the first to see his palm. The story of the judgement given by the king when two ladies claimed the child is well known. Split the child vertically and give each one half; the fake mother accepted the verdict, but the real mother gave up her demand and agreed to give the child away, as it will survive.