§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether it is true that Hyat Khan, a member of the Indian Civil Service, is about to be tried on charges of selling his protection to natives of Afghanistan during the occupation of Kabul by General Roberts; whether there has been already a private investigation into the charges against Hyat Khan; whether the trial will be public; and, what steps, if any, the Indian Government have taken to obtain evidence in connection with the case?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the Government have already instituted a confidential inquiry into certain charges of extortion and corruption which have been brought against Hyat Khan, who was in our political employment at Cabul, and they have now decided that the whole matter shall be subjected to a formal and public investigation, which will be conducted by Mr. Smith, Judge of the Chief Court of the Punjab. We have no information as to the steps likely to be taken to secure the presence of witnesses from Cabul. It is not a matter with which the Home Government of India could properly interfere.
§ MR. O'DONNELLasked whether it was true that the charges of corruption and extortion against Hyat Khan were founded on the fact that he had sold his protection as Political Agent to the 366 Natives while Cabul was in a state of siege?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe charges of corruption and extortion brought against Hyat Khan were various in their character, and I cannot say, without reference to Papers, whether they include the exact point mentioned by the hon. Member. They were, however, no doubt, of a very serious character. No doubt, it is of great importance that witnesses should be brought from Cabul; but as the Indian Government have determined to have a public inquiry into the matter, I have no doubt that they will take the necessary steps to secure that the inquiry shall be full and satisfactory. It would be obviously improper for me to say anything further on the matter at the present moment.