§ MR. CAINE (Barrow in-Furness)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India if it is true that some of the judicial officers who have confessed to corrupt practices in connection with the Crawford Commission, while suspended from the exercise of some of their judicial functions, are still maintained in their appointments, and continue to exercise judicial power in civil suits; and, if convenient, will he state to the House what is the exact position of these corrupt officers with regard to the exercise of their public duties?
SIR J. GORSTOn February 7th, the Secretary of State telegraphed to the Government of Bombay as follows:—
I await full information as to facts before expressing any opinion myself, but I presume incriminated magistrates are suspended from 241 exercising judicial functions pending consideration of case.To this he received the following reply:—Magistrates who have acknowledged having purchased their offices suspended from exercising judicial functions during consideration of report.On the 9th of April, after considering the papers which he had received from the Government of Bombay in reference to the incriminated magistrates, the Secretary of State telegraphed as follows:—As to incriminated magistrates, general rule must be that those who have given bribes must be deprived of magisterial functions, and must leave it to you to discriminate between cases; but I appreciate importance of pledges given by Government, and also leave it to you to provide such compensation for individuals as you may think necessary. Prompt action is essential. You are at liberty to make known my views if you think advisable. Have all who confessed corruption been suspended? See my telegram 7th February.