HC Deb 23 November 1909 vol 13 cc3-4
Mr. MACKARNESS

asked whether the Secretary of State has yet received any official information as to what steps the Government of the Punjab has taken to punish the policemen found by the sessions judge at Rawal Pindi as long ago as 12th June to have tortured by racking one Ghulam Mohammed into a confession of the crime of murder; or whether it is the intention of the Executive to take any criminal proceedings consequent upon the grave view taken by the judge on the action of the police?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The Secretary of State has now received official information on the subject of the case referred to in the question. The sessions judge did not find it proved that Ghulam Mohammed had been tortured by the police into a confession. He said (after enumerating matters which seemed to him suspicious) that the police investigation in the case seemed to him to call for inquiry. The Lieutenant-Governor has now made the inquiry suggested, and has come to the conclusion that the charge of torture is false, and that no blame attaches to the police.

Mr. MACKARNESS

May I ask whether the judge did not say that marks were visible on the man's arms and legs, and that the man had been threatened that he would be taken back to the place where he had been formerly racked?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The judge did refer to marks on the prisoner which called for inquiry, and all the circumstances were taken into consideration in the inquiry which took place.

Mr. MACKARNESS

By whom was the inquiry made into the conduct of the police?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

That is the same question as was put by the hon. Member in another case of torture or alleged torture, and I replied that the Lieutenant-Governor was responsible for the report.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

To what are these marks on the man's arms and legs attributed? How do they come to be present—what is the theory?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

I cannot really carry in my mind the whole of the reports of these inquiries. The Executive Government went very carefully into these matters, and came to the decision which I gave to the House.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

There were marks of violence on this man said to have been produced by torture. To what are those marks attributable?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice of his question.

Mr. MACKARNESS

Was the inquiry conducted in secret without opportunity of cross-examining on the evidence?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The inquiry was conducted precisely in the same way as in the other ease, and in accordance with the usual practice.

Mr. MACKARNESS

In secret?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The Lieutenant-Governor carefully examined the records in the case.