HC Deb 28 March 1911 vol 23 cc1122-3
Mr. WEDGWOOD

asked whether the Under-Secretary's attention has been called to the latest official report of the Inspector-General of the Bengal Police, in which he mentions that, in the Purneah district, two men were so tortured by the police that one of them died; whether the only punishment inflicted by the police authorities was degradation for the inspector and extra drills for the men who inflicted the torture; whether, subsequently, judicial proceedings were taken against these men; if so, what was the nature of the torture disclosed; and what was the result of the trial?

Mr. O'GRADY

asked whether the case of the man whose arms had been tied so tightly by a policeman that blood-poisoning supervened was, according to the Inspector-General of Police, under con- sideration at the end of 1909; whether proceedings were only taken before a magistrate in April, 1910; whether the India Office has now any information as to whether these proceedings have been concluded; whether at these proceedings the statement of the police that the only torture applied to the prisoner consisted in tying his arms tightly to his body, or the statement made by the dying man that boiling filth was placed under his armpits, was substantiated; and whether, in view of the delay in bringing this policeman to justice, the Under-Secretary will take some means of substantiating his declaration that the Government is doing everything it can to suppress physical punishment, amounting to torture, inflicted upon prisoners and witnesses by the police of India?

Mr. MONTAGU

I will answer these questions, which are on the same subject, together. The Secretary of State has not heard the result of the trial. He had already asked for a report on the case, and has now telegraphed for it to be expedited. Pending its receipt I can make no statement on the subject.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether there is any objection to hanging a policeman who causes another man's death, and whether, if it is not possible under the law, he will take steps to alter the law so that it can be possible?

Mr. MONTAGU

The maximum punishment is laid down by the provisions of the Indian Penal Code. If the hon. Member seriously suggests a new definition of murder, I will convey his suggestion to the Government of India.