Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the appeal in the Midnapur case is being prosecuted on the advice of the 1007 Bengal Government; and whether this same Government advised the decoration and promotion of the two policemen while they were still under accusation of the offence of which they have since been found guilty?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The appeal has been filed by the Government of Bengal on behalf of the officers concerned, with the full approval of the Government of India; and the case is, therefore, subjudice. I want to repeat my earnest appeal to my hon. Friend, I hope this time with more success than last Tuesday, not to put further questions on the Midnapur case until it has been decided. I have given the House in a series of replies the fullest possible information. However strongly my hon. Friend may feel on this case, I am still confident that he does not desire to prejudice the cause of justice. These officers are men whose record of past service is of the highest, and it is contrary to the best of British traditions to refuse them a fair chance in their present grave position. I must repeat that questions such as this deny them their chance, more especially as my hon. Friend refers with regrettable inaccuracy to offences of which they have been guilty. Such language should not be used by responsible people of men who have never been on trial for these alleged offences, and who are now endeavouring to clear themselves of censure.
§ Mr. MONTAGUThe criminal case was the case against prisoners who were acquitted of the charges brought against them, but the policemen to whom this question refers were not on their trial at all.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTHas the hon. Gentleman any objection to my asking questions concerning the criminal case?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have appealed to the hon. Gentleman not to put any questions which may prejudice the hearing of the civil case arising out of the criminal case.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTWill it prejudice the hearing of the civil case if I ask whether the people who were found absolutely innocent in the criminal case have received any compensation?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI think it is obvious to the House that questions containing implications that the charge ought not to have been brought or that the trial was mismanaged involve some indirect comment upon the civil case now proceeding which is not in the public interest.