HC Deb 25 June 1889 vol 337 cc697-8
MR. JAMES STUART

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the affidavits purporting to be made before Edwin R. Smetham, Notary Public in Bombay, by the uncle and mother of the girl Luchmin of Patna, who was, against her will and under painful circumstances, restored by the Judge to a man Radakissen on the ground that he was her husband, whose case has been already mentioned in this House, in which affidavits the mother says— When I went to the Magistrate's Court at Patna about my daughter Luchmin, who had gone to Miss Abraham's house, I did not give true evidence, because I was afraid to do so. Radakissen had threatened to beat and kill both me and Gurmukh Naram, my late husband's brother…Being now away from Patna, and able to speak in safety, I now wish to tell the truth as follows: Luchmin was never married to Radakissen….My daughter is very unhappy at Radakissen's house, and cries much. Radakissen is a big strong man, and there is a prostitute living with him. And whether he will direct further inquiry into the matter?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) Chatham

The attention of the Secretary of State has been called to the affidavits. The case has been disposed of in the regular manner by the Courts in India. If any fresh evidence upon which reliance can be placed is brought to light, it should be submitted to those Courts.

MR. JAMES STUART

Has the question whether perjury was not committed during the trial been considered, and do the India Office intend to take any further action in the matter?

SIR J. GORST

Neither I nor my noble Friend the Secretary of State can sit as a Court of Review. We are not an Indian tribunal.

MR. JAMES STUART

Will no step he taken to lay the matter, in any sense, before the Government of India?

SIR J. GORST

No, Sir.