memo was drawn almost completely at home, by Mr. Tilak himself and his pleaders who knew what to expect in that day's judgment. Mr. Tilak was removed to jail immediately after the pronouncement of sentence on him, even to the surprise of the Sessions Judge himself who, while admitting the appeal and ordering bis release on bail, almost without any arguments from Mr. Khare (Mr. Tilak's counsel), openly expressed his surprise at and disapproval of the indecent haste shown in the execution of the Jail Warrant."[1]
Mr. Lucas, the Sessions Judge, reduced the sentence but confirmed the conviction. Mr. Tilak was hand-cuffed and taken to the Yeravda jail (Jan. 4th 1904) whence he was released on January 8th by an order of the High Court. The handcuffing of Mr. Tilak aroused Intense public indignation. Said a Calcutta Daily:—
"We were not by any means prepared for the startling and shameful tidings which reached us yesterday; the news of a distinguished gentleman of Bombay having been, in the Court and in the presence of the District Judge of Poona, manacled as a common felon. We say at once, and we say with the strongest feelings, shame upon the perpetrators of this foul and disgraceful act!! Whence the necessity for handcuffing Mr. Tilak? Was it through fear of his escaping? Nothing of the kind. It was, as some might say, to gratify the spite of a few Government underlings, who experienced the delight which the cowards always feel by treading on the fallen man. * * * * Our only wonder is and we wonder much indeed, why the Governor of Bombay stands by, with his
- ↑ From the Mahratta (March 6th, 1904).
