EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the Secretary of State for India if he can give the House any information as to the circumstances under which the Khan of Hoti-Mardan was recently committed to the criminal sessions of the Bombay High Court on a charge, subsequently withdrawn by the Advocate-General, of abducting two English women?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI have no official information, but the newspaper reports of the trial which I have seen bear out the statement that the charge against the Khan and two other persons was withdrawn by the Advocate-General, and show that the accused were formally acquitted, the judge observing that they left the court without a stain on their character.
EARL Of RONALDSHAYHas the attention of the hon. Gentleman been called to the fact that the judge is reported to have said that the accused appeared to have been subjected to many indignities, and that the procedure followed seemed to have been incomprehensible, and, if so, will he consider the possibility of making some reparation to this gentleman?
§ Mr. MONTAGUAs I understand it, this gentleman, on hearing of the charge, came down to Bombay and surrendered. His character has been cleared. If the Noble Lord suggests there was any irregularity that ought to be inquired into, I shall be happy to ask my Noble Friend if he can make inquiry of the local government on the subject.
EARL of RONALDSHAYIs it not possible to make inquiry as to the circumstances under which the arrest was made?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI will certainly consider that.