§ 33. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mr. B. S. Pathik, President Rajasthan Sevasangh, Ajmer, who is at present undergoing imprisonment at Udaipur; and whether, in view of the circumstances of the case, the Government will make representations on his behalf?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe Secretary of State has received a report on the case. He sees no ground for suggesting to the Government of India that they should take any action in the matter.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the Noble Lord aware that this unfortunate person was sentenced by two Courts to a moderate sentence, and that finally the Rajah of the local State appointed a local Commission, which increased the sentence from one year to three years, and are we not responsible for the methods by which justice so-called is carried out in some of the native States?
§ Earl WINTERTONI must strongly object to the use by the right hon. Gentleman of the term "justice so-called." The judicial jurisdiction of the native States is in the hands of the Rajahs and Assemblies, where there are any, in those States, and there is nothing in this case which, in the opinion of my Noble Friend, would justify intervention. The course taken would be the course of justice due to be taken in these cases, and it is only in very extreme cases, where there would appear to be a prima facie case for inquiry, that my Noble Friend would be prepared to take any action.