HC Deb 23 March 1911 vol 23 cc598-9
Mr. O'GRADY

asked the Under-Secretary for India whether he is aware that in the last annual reports of the Inspectors-General of Police of Madras and Bengal, several cases are mentioned in which prisoners have died under torture at the hands of the police; whether he will place copies of the reports in the Library of the House of Commons; and whether the India Office, since the receipt of these reports, have drawn the attention of the Indian Government to these admissions of torture and called for further particulars regarding the circumstances under which the torture was inflicted and the punishment meted out to the officers concerned?

Mr. MONTAGU

The Secretary of State is aware that in four cases mentioned in these reports subordinate police officers were prosecuted for causing the death of prisoners by ill-treatment. In one case four policemen were sentenced to terms of rigorous imprisonment ranging from three and a half to six years; in two cases the accused were acquitted. In the fourth case a prisoner's arms had been tied tightly with ropes to prevent his escape, no handcuffs being available, with the result that he died of blood poisoning. It was held that there was no intention to torture, but a prosecution was ordered, which was pending at the close of the year to which the Report relates. As all these cases, only one of which appears to have been proved to be a genuine case of torture, have been dealt with judicially, the Secretary of State does not think it necessary to draw the attention of the Government of India to them. Copies of the Reports will be placed in the Library.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is it a fact that in this last case the inquisition before the magistrate showed other instances of great torture, and that the dying depositions of the man in hospital contradicted the evidence that it was merely tying his hands that caused his death?

Mr. MONTAGU

It was the opinion of the authorities that there was evidence to justify and to necessitate the prosecution. Pending the result of that prosecution, I prefer to make no further statement.

Mr. KEIR HARDIE

In view of the facts now admitted, is the hon. Member prepared to withdraw the accusation made against Mr. Mackarness last year?

Mr. MONTAGU

I am afraid I can never persuade my hon. Friend to understand that the fact, which has been admitted often before, that cases of torture do occur, does not justify misrepresentations about torture as a practice.

Mr. BYLES

Is not it time that some drastic steps were taken to put an end to these atrocities?

Mr. MONTAGU

Very drastic steps are continually being taken, and every effort is and will be made.