§ Mr. CHARLETONasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the case of ex-Sub-Inspector of Police Khondkar Muhammad Zakaria, who, after 20 years' service, was dismissed about three years ago for alleged neglect of duty; whether he, is aware that this man, while at Katihar P.S., recorded some complaints against subordinates, that with a view to stopping the malpractices, he made an inquiry into the cases and submitted a report to his superiors for necessary action; that all the cases were disposed of by the divisional inspector and the then inspector of police; that more than a year after a new superintendent of police took up the cases and dismissed Khondkar Muhammad Zakaria and several others from the service; and that various appeals have been made since without effect; and whether, in view of this man's long service, he will make inquiries into the case and, if it is found to be impossible to reinstate him, consider the propriety of granting him a gratuity?
§ Earl WINTERTONNo, Sir. Local Governments have full authority to deal with officers of this grade, and my Noble Friend is not prepared to interfere with the action taken by the Government of Bengal in this case or to institute inquiries.