'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1908-1909' [‎77r] (15/132)

1908-190 9, 3
SUMMARY.
IX
as true in Poona and in Thana, while Bombay and Ahmedabad each showed a
noticeable improvement in this respect. Bombay, however, remained the most
criminal district, followed after a considerable interval by Karachi, Poona
and Ahmedabad. Sentence of death was passed In 59 cases and sentence of
transportation in 179 cases during the year. Each of these figures shows an
increase. While sentences of imprisonment were more numerous, fines were
inflicted in considerably fewer instances, and as in the previous year the
amount was nominal in over 90 per cent, of these cases. Whippings a^ain
decreased and bore a ratio of 13§ per cent, to the total number of punishments,
corresponding to 15J per cent, in the year before. Proceedings in appeal
resulted in a reversal of the sentence in 17 per cent, of the cases. In trials by
Jury the Judge disagreed with the verdict in 7 per cent, of the cases, while in
nearly 16 per cent, of the trials with Assessors the opinion of all the Assessors
was rejected.
15. The total jail population rose by nearly 3 J per cent. Overcrowding Prisons, Civil
was again present in a number of prisons, but no injurious effect on the health and CrimiliaL
of the inmates could be traced to this cause. On the contrary the death-rate of
17-4 per mille was the lowest recorded during the last 39 years with the excep
tion only of 1905. Want of accommodation was, however, more particularly
felt in respect of cells for the separation of habituals, who form only 13 per
cent, of the total population, but are a source of general corruption. There
was a small increase in the number of juvenile offenders, but the decrease from
the figures of preceding years remained a satisfactory feature. The juvenile
class in the Dharwdr Prison continued to show excellent results. Escapes were
considerably more numerous, and only 8 of the 20 fugitives were recaptured.
A large number of prisoners were released under the orders of Government on
the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the assumption of the direct adminis
tration of India by the Crown. The mark remission system continued to have
a very favourable effect upon prison discipline, as appears from the fact that the
releases which took place under this system during the year covered 93 per
cent, of the possible cases. The high prices of food-grains were responsible
for a rise of Us. 9 per head in dietary charges which more thin accounted for
the larger average cost of maintenance. The net cash earnings of the convicts
increased by over 110 per cent. There was a far larger output from the
Yeravda Prison Press, and the net profits showed a marke 1 improvement.
16. There was again a considerable fall in the total number of civil OivilJusticQ.
cases decided during the year, but this was confined to Miscellaneous Original
and Appeal cases, and there was a large increase in regular suits and appeals.
During the several preceding years there had been a progressive reduction in
the number of suits instituted, which was attributed to the prevalence of
plague, to bad seasons and to the extended application of the Deccan Agricul
turists’ Belief Act. In the year under review, however, the number of suits
rose by nearly 6 per cent., while there was a further advance of 13 per cent, in
their total value. Although, therefore, more cases were decided during the
year the balance which remained pending was larger and amounted to 21
per cent, of the total number for disposal. There was little variation in the
proportion of contested suits, which stood at 37 per cent., but their average
duration was again noticeably reduced. There was a rise also in the number o
appeals, but owing to greater success in disposing of them the arrears showe a
comparatively small increase, amounting nevertheless to 44 per cent, of the
'whole. Applications for the execution of decrees were again fewer, but a arger
balance remained for disposal in the following year. A slightly smaller pro
portion proved wholly unproductive; but only in 17 per cent, of the applications
was satisfaction obtained in full.
b 1023—3 s