MURDER DUPES

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1931, Page 2

MURDER DUPES

WRONG MEN PUNISHED. CALCUTTA, July 22. Strong comment on the “increasing tendency to eulogise murder” was made by Mr Justice Lort-Williams, in the Calcutta High Court, jn sentencing to death two young Punjabi Mohammedans for the murder in a Calcutta, bookshop, on May 7, of thp proprietor, Bboiauutlp Sep, and two assistants. In the course of his judgment Mr Justice Uoi't-Wjlliams said that ho had noticed lately that persons holding responsible positions in Calcutta and elsewhere had made speeches palliating murder, eulogising terrorism, and the “self-sacrifice which, they say, is displayed by the murderer, and extolling his courage and devotion in pursuit of an ideal, This amounts to direct- incitement to others to show equal devotion. “Let me warn the men who make these speeches,” said the judge “that they eannot be surprised if those who hold this view apply a similar maxim to the murder of Hindus by Mohammedans or the murder of Mohammedans by Hindus. Those who make these speeches are the real offenders. They are the instigators of these crimes but they escapo prosecution. Doubtless these poor youths were actuated and instigated by others much too wise to bring themselves within the clutches of the law. Instead of them, their dupes have to pay the penalty,”