HC Deb 21 September 1909 vol 11 cc207-9
Sir HENRY COTTON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the judgment of Mr. Garlick, magistrate of Dinagepore, in Eastern Bengal, in a recent dacoity case in which he refers to the fact that the wives of the accused persons were sent for by the police, and adds that it is a common practice of the police when they wish to recover stolen property to send for the wives of the persons accused and try to get them to reveal where it is; and to the further remark by the magistrate in the same judgment that the police frequently quickened the witnesses' answers with a cut from their riding canes, and that without such methods of examination he did not suppose that the police would get any information at all; and whether the Secretary of State proposes to make any inquiry into these allegations?

The HON. MEMBER

further asked the Under-Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances of a trial at Tezpur, in Assam, in which two men stood charged with murder in connection with the attempted loot of treasure which was being conveyed to the Bindakuri tea estate; to the fact that a third man originally sent up for trial committed suicide in gaol, after recording on the prison wall that although he was innocent of the crime he had been coerced and frightened by the police; to the fact that a fourth man turned approver, and that on his evidence the first two accused were, at an earlier trial, found guilty and sentenced to death; to the fact that the High Court ordered a retrial on the ground of improper police evidence, and that at this retrial they were acquitted; and to the further fact that the Criminal Investigation Department officer connected with this case was Inspector Shevagat Ali Chowdhry, whose conduct had previously been condemned by the High Court in the Commilla shooting case of 1907 and the recent Nattore mail robbery case; and if the Secretary of State will inquire whether the services of this police officer, whose grave faults have so often been brought to notice, are still retained by the Government?

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

Perhaps my hon. Friend will permit me to answer his two questions together. The Secretary of State has seen newspaper reports of the cases referred to, and these, no doubt, engage the attention of the Lieutenant-Governor. The authorities, as I have repeatedly stated, are trying to effect improvements in a police force that is drawn almost entirely from the Indian people. Isolated cases of misconduct in so large a force are inevitable, but the local governments, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, must be trusted to deal with such cases as they arise.

Sir H. COTTON

Will not the Secretary of State make some inquiries with regard to these illegal practices, which are described by the magistrate as quite common?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The Secretary of State, as I have already said, is of opinion that these cases should be dealt with by the Lieutenant-Governor or the local governments.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Have the Indian Government communicated with Mr. Garlick and asked him if he made the statements alleged to have been made and reproduced in the printed report of the judgment as to practices which ought not to be allowed in any civilised service?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

The Secretary of State has only seen the newspaper reports of the cases referred to. He is of opinion that they should be left to the discretion of the Lieutenant-Governor.

Sir H. COTTON

Does not the Secretary of State think the gravity of this matter sufficient to call for inquiry?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

I have given the Secretary of State's answer and I cannot add to it.

Mr. MacNEILL

Will the Secretary of State direct the attention of the Indian Government to this matter?

The MASTER of ELIBANK

No doubt the questions and the replies thereto will in due course reach the Government of India. They will see them in the newspapers. I am unable to add to the reply I have given.

Sir H. COTTON

Will the Under-Secretary represent to the Secretary of State the very strong feeling in the House of Commons on this matter?

Mr. SPEAKER

Perhaps hon. Members will put down further questions.

Mr. MacNEILL

May I point out that the hon. Gentleman has answered two questions together, and the supplementary questions have all been in reference to one. I proposed to put some in regard to the second?

Mr. SPEAKER

There have already been six supplementary questions. That is quite enough.

Mr. MacNEILL

All on one question.