'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1907-1908' [‎33v] (65/137)

Chap. Ill*
PROTECTION'.
Number of offences.
Cases brought to
trial and persons
involved.
Miscellaneous cases.
Cases decided.
Punishme nts.
Appeals and
revision.
Trial by Jury and
Assessors.
26
BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
4. Chemical Analysis.
For details see the Annual Report of the Chemical Analyser to Government, and tables under Medicolegal
*or details tne f y , d in Part VI of the Statistics of British India.
1. The number of analyses decreased from 4,951 in 1906 to 4,550 m 1907. .In 248
cases of siispected human poisoning and 97 cases-of suspected animal poisoning poison was
detected in 73 and 50 cases resp actively. Arsenic was the poison most commonly found. Out
of 117 cases of suspected staining with blood, etc., the presence of blood was detected in 62 out
of 67 cases.
2. Thre -hundred and forty-two samples of potable water were analysed. Of these
139 were declared unfit for drinking purposes. 1,13") samples .of wood and mineral naphtha
and methylated spirit were forwarded for examination, of which 87 were rejected. Samples
of commissariat stores, imported alcoholic liquids, opium, country spiiit, salt, petroleum
explosives, etc., were also examined.
5< Criminal Justice.
For details see the Annual Report on Criminal Justice and table Criminal Justice printed in
Part VI of the Statistics of British India.
1. The total number of offences fell from 151,751 to 157,996. The number of cases
reported as true was 93*7 per cent, of the tota^ and of these 39*8 per cent, were under the
Indian Penal Code, the rest under special and local laws. There was a material increase in
cases of hurt, criminal force, intimidation, and cases under the Breaches of Contract Act,
Cantonment Rules, Criminal i rocedure Code, and District Municipal Act. There was a consi
derable decrease in cases under the Cantonment Code, Forest Act, A^bkd.ri Act, City of Bombay
Police Act, and District Police Act. The number of murders was 252, 22 less than in 1906.
The proportion of true cases to population varied from 1 to 12 in Bombay to 1 to 760 in
Patnagiri, Bombay, Ahmedabad, Karachi and Poona heading the list. Crime increased in
Rydeiabad, Poona, Karachi and Ahmedabad, and decreased in Bombay, SdMra, Ndsik and
Belgaum.
2. The number of cases brought to trial fell from 148,620 to 146,641, but the number of
persons involved rose from 237,821 to 238,566. Of the latter, 49*2 per cent, were acquitted
or discharged and 46*2 per cent, convicted, compared with 48 and 47 per cent, respectively
last year The ratio ot persons convicted to persons charged was 7 per cent, in cases of hurt,
5 per cent, in cases of criminal intimidation, 68 per cent, in cases of theft, 44 per cent, in cases
of offences affecting life and 85 per cent, in cases under special and local laws. The number
of European British subjects tried rose from 550 to 576. Four hundred and twenty-five were
convicted.
3. There were 3,429 miscellaneous eases before the courts, involving 7,074 persons, of whom
71 per cent, were convicted. TKre was a material increase in the number of persons involved
in proceedings under Chapter VIII of the Criminal Procedure Code, security for good behaviour;
and a material decrease in the number of cases under Chapter XII, disputes as t© immovable
property.
4. The number of original cases disposed of was 145,306 against 148,540 last year.
Of these, 142,403 were disposed of by Magistrates. Of the persons convicted, 36’5 per cent,
were convicted on regular and 63-5 per cent, on summary trial. The number of youthful
offenders dealt with under section 31 of Act VIII of 1897 was 254 against 286.
5. Sentences of death and transportation were passed in 55 and 133 cases compared with
52 and 138 last year Sentences of imprisonment, fine and whipping decreased by 2 977,
2,513 and 145 respectively. In 79,698 cases the amount of fine did nof exceed Rs. 10 and in
5,577 it was between Rs. 10 and Rs 50; in 5,496 cases the term of imprisonment did not
exceed 15 days and in 7,985 it was between 15 days and 6 months. The total amount of fines
imposed fell from Rs. 4,33,175 to Rs. 4,18,571 and that of fines realized from Rs. 3,52 207
to Rs. 3,44/77. Tne total number cf whippings was 1,509. One thousand and eighteen "'were
in lieu of other punishments, 945 being on first conviction and 73 on re-conviction One
hundred and sixty-six were in addition to other punishments. Three hundred and twenty-five
were inflicted on juveniles. J
6. 45'6 per cent, of the anpeals were rejected. The sentence was confirmed in 27 per cent.,
enhanced in 4 per cent., reduced in 9 per cent, and reversed in 17 per cent, of the total number.
In revnion, 22 sentences were enhanced, 74 reduced or altered, 201 reversed Proceedings
were quashed in the case of 29 persons and a new trial or further inquiry ordered in the ca & se
7. Persons tried by jury and with the aid of assessors numbered 281 and 1 285 respect-
ively. in the High Court the verdict of the jury was approved in all cases, and in the Court?
ot Sessions m the case of 201 persons out of 231. In cases tried with assessors the Judge
agreed with all m 73 per cent, and differed from all in 14 per cent.