HC Deb 13 July 1909 vol 7 cc1839-40
Sir HENRY COTTON

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether the magistrate of Midnapur, whose conduct was impugned by the Chief Justice of Bengal in his judgment on the Midnapur conspiracy case, has been appointed by the Government to assist the Commissioner of Burdwan in his inquiry into the facts of that case?

The UNDER-SECRETARY for INDIA (the Master of Elibank)

The suggestions made in the hon. Member's question are entirely without foundation. Mr. Weston, the magistrate referred to, has no authority whatever in the inquiry.

Sir H. COTTON

Does not Mr. Weston cross-examine the witnesses who are produced before the court?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

I understand he has a perfect right to cross-examine witnesses in connection with his own conduct.

Sir H. COTTON

One other question——

Mr. SPEAKER

Will the hon. Member kindly put the question down; it has evidently been prepared beforehand.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

asked whether the judgment of the High Court, reversing on appeal the convictions and sentences in the Midnapur conspiracy case, has yet reached the India Office; and whether, having regard to the observations of the judge as to the methods adopted by the subordinates of the Indian Government, the enforcement of confessions, and the opinion that the bomb explosion was the work of the Indian police, that judgment will be laid before Parliament?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The Secretary of State has received a copy of the report of the judgment published in the Calcutta newspaper Press. The full text, having been so published and made accessible, the Secretary of State does not consider that its presentation to Parliament is called for.