§ SIR H. COTTONTo ask the Undersecretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a case decided by the sessions judge of Allygurh in which a person was sentenced to seven years transportation for sending a telegram of a seditious nature; and whether any special reason exists, such as a warning neglected or previous conviction, which would appear to justify such a severe sentence.
(Answered by Mr. Buchanan): I have no special information as to the circumstances of the case beyond what appeared in a telegram in the newspapers of the 30th July. It is open to the accused to appeal to the High Court against the sentence passed by the sessions judge.