HC Deb 04 April 1911 vol 23 cc1975-6
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

asked whether in the two recent cases of torture in the Punjab, in each of which one of the victims died, any of the accused policemen were charged with murder; whether there was any appeal by the police against their convictions; and, if so, whether the verdicts and sentences of the subordinate courts were upheld; and whether the Secretary of State will place official copies of the judgments delivered by the courts in each case in the Library of the House?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)

As regards my hon. Friend's first three questions I have nothing to add to the reply that I gave to him on the 27th March. With regard to the last question, the Government of India will be asked to furnish copies for the purpose suggested.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Will my hon. Friend ascertain in the first place the somewhat material details as to what was the nature of the outrages suffered by the victims; and, in the second place, what was the charge upon which the police were put on trial?

Mr. MONTAGU

The hon. Member made the suggestion that copies of the judgments should be put in the Library of the House. The Secretary of State agrees to that suggestion, and in those judgments the hon. Member will find all the information ho now seeks.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Will the judgments contain particulars of the outrages suffered by the victims?

Mr. MONTAGU

The whole case is dealt with in the judgment.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the Government of India are contemplating altering the definition of "murder" in the Indian Penal Code so that the death sentence may be inflicted upon the policemen who tortured to death the people in their charge?

Mr. SPEAKER

That point hardly arises on the question.