Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, in January last, Dhanapal, a child of about seven years, the son of a respectable merchant and municipal councillor of Chingleput, was convicted by Mr. G. H. B. Jackson, the joint magistrate of that place, of an offence 1252 under Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code, and sentenced to a fine of Rs.5 or a week's rigorous imprisonment; whether the complainant against the child was the magistrate who tried the case; whether he himself gave evidence against the child; whether the offence alleged was that the child had shouted out salaam in a loud and vociferous voice as Mr. Jackson was riding past his father's house on a bicycle; and whether the Government of India proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The facts are as stated, except that the magistrate did not formally give evidence. He disposed of the case himself at the request of the boy's father, who made no complaint as to the procedure. The Government of Madras has expressed severe displeasure at the magistrate's conduct, and has moved the High Court to quash the proceedings.
§ Mr. MONTAGUThey have not so far as I know been quashed yet. Proceedings are still pending.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the magistrate himself quashed the proceedings and remitted the fine?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs soon as the hon. Member put the question on the Paper, I telegraphed to India. I have given all the information which I received in the case, and cannot say anything more at present.