Stories of Bengalee Life/Swift Retribution/Chapter 4
IV
The Daroga Babu, mad with rage, returned to the thana as quickly as he could. Addressing his Head Constable, Hafez Ali, he said—"Jemadar Sahib, do you know the names of the Doctor's two sons?"
"The Doctor's sons? Which Doctor?"
"Hara Govind,"—replied the Daroga impatiently.—"Hara Govind, who else?—The man who eats the salt of the Government and is faithless to it."
"I am afraid I don't know their names,"—the Head Constable ventured to reply.
"Will you get me their names quickly?"
"Yes, I will. What's the matter with them?"
"Oh, don't stand there bandying words with me. Go."
The Head Constable disappeared. The Daroga then paced the verandah of the thana like a tiger in fury and began to murmur.—
"What!—He dares insult the Daroga himself? Get his servant to kick me out of the house? What does Hara Govind fancy himself to be, I wonder! I will get both his sons arrested before they are an hour older—yes, I will. But that won't satisfy me at all. I will crush the Doctor under my heels—see if I don't. I will get up a case against him—a very serious criminal charge—take my word for it. What shall it be? Yes—he receives stolen property. Thieves come to his house at night and dispose of their booty to him at half price and quarter price. I will search his house and discover heaps of stolen property. I know how it is done—nothing easier. But—but—would the Deputy Magistrate believe it when trying him? Wouldn't he? To Deputy Magistrates, the words of a Daroga are as the Holy Gospel. Acquit the Doctor—would he? I would like to see him doing that. I would go to my Superintendent and get him to send a long report to the Government about the conduct of the Deputy Magistrate—and what would happen when the next Gazette is published?—Why, the Deputy's promotion would be stopped for two years—of course. That's why the Deputy Sahibs are so afraid of the Darogas now a days—that's the secret of it. But should the Judge set aside the conviction on appeal? Should he, for instance, say—'Here is a Doctor earning so many hundred rupees a month—is it likely that a man of his position and education would receive stolen property?' What then? Yes, the Judge might do that. They are dangerous men—these Judges. Pity they are not under the thumb of the Executive. Let me rather do another thing. The other day I sent some injured persons to him for examination in connection with a rioting case. He certified the injuries as being of the nature of simple hurt. I will get hold of one of those persons and make him lodge a complaint to the effect that his injuries were really severe, coming under the definition of grievous hurt, but the Doctor Babu took a bribe of three hundred rupees from the accused persons and reported the injuries as simple. That would seem plausible enough, and I should like to see how the Doctor gets out of that. Wouldn't the fellow lodge the complaint if I wanted him to? Would he dare disobey me? Does he not know that I can start a bad livelihood case against him and send him up under section 110 any day I choose?"
At this moment the Head Constable returned and gave the names as being Ajay Chandra and Sushil Chandra.
The Sub-Inspector immediately sat down to write a confidential report to the District Magistrate, praying for a search warrant. The following is a faithful translation of his Bengali report—
Hail Cherisher of the Poor!
During my investigation in the European Assault Case, as directed by the Huzoor, I have found that two other boys took part in the outrage. They are Ajay Chandra and Sushil Chandra—both sons of the Assistant Surgeon Hara Govind Chatterjee. Ajay, it seems, is a very turbulent young man, studying at Babu Surendranath Banerjea's College in Calcutta. It appears that it was at the instigation of Ajay Chandra that the other accused persons fell upon the European and began to beat him. I am taking steps to arrest both the brothers forthwith under section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
2. By diligent enquiry I have also found that this Ajay had also taken part in the recent Beadon Square riots at Calcutta. He has started a Samity here to teach youngmen the use of the lathi and this nefarious society is supported by monthly subscriptions given by many gentlemen of the town. The other boy Sushil Chandra, though very young yet, has started a "Children's Stone Throwing Samity," the object of the members being to throw stones at European ladies and gentlemen whenever they get a chance of doing so.
3. Having made a confidential enquiry I have come to know that the bloodstained lathi actually used in assaulting the Sahib is concealed in the Doctor's house. The subscription list of the Lathi-play Samity is also there—and an examination of its pages may give me additional clues in detecting more culprits. I therefore pray that Your Honour may be pleased to grant me a search warrant under Section 96, Criminal Procedure Code, to search the house of the said Doctor Hara Govind Chatterjee.
4. I also desire to bring to Your Worship's notice that Dr. Hara Govind is a staunch supporter of Swadeshi. Only country-made sugar and salt are used in his household. He has purchased shares worth five hundred rupees in the Indian Cotton Mill in the benami of his wife. Both his sons being accused in this case, I apprehend that he would not depose truly if examined as a prosecution witness. I have therefore removed his name from the list of witnesses. I have also heard that the Doctor is going about telling people that he does not care a rap for any Judge or Magistrate.
Your most obedient servant,
Badan Chandra Ghose,
S. I.
In the meanwhile the two ill-fated boys were brought to the thana under arrest. A little while after, some pleaders came to have them released on bail, offering to stand sureties themselves. "The Sahib's hukum is against it"—was the Daroga's laconic reply.