§ 83. Mr. HALESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the ex-Maharajah of Nabha has been interned in Kodai Kanal for over seven years without any charges being brought against him; and will he give the ex-Maharajah the opportunity of proving his innocence before an independent tribunal?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for INDIA (Mr. Butler)The circumstances in which the ex-Maharajah of Nabha was in 1928 interned at Kodaikanal under Bengal Regulation III of 1818 were announced in a Press communique in India, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. My Noble Friend is not prepared to intervene with the Government of India in their treatment of the case of the ex-Maharajah.
§ Mr. HALESIs the Under-Secretary of State for India aware that the whole cause of the trouble is an old, long standing dispute between two Indian Princes, and that the ex-Maharaja has made many requests to be brought to trial which have been ignored? In the best interests of British justice should not this man be given an opportunity of refuting any charges brought against him?
§ Mr. BUTLERMy Noble Friend thinks it is wiser that the ex-Maharaja should make representations to the authorities in India.