asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the dismissal and deportation to Burma of the postmaster of Pegu for a speech delivered, as president of the conference of postal employés, at Lahore on 9th October, 1921; whether he is aware that such dismissal was given effect to without application of the rule which directs that all charges against a, public servant should be reduced to writing; and whether, having regard to the officer's excellent record of 26 years' service, and that he was commended for services rendered at a, time of difficulty when in charge of the Calcutta Barabazar Post Office, the case can be further inquired into with a view to reinstatement?
The case to which the hon. Member refers, that of Babu Tarapada Mukerji, was fully inquired into some time ago. Mr. Mukerji was not, deported to Burma. It was proposed to transfer him in ordinary course to a post in that province, but before the transfer was carried out he was dismissed from the service for making a speech which contained serious mis-statements and was calculated to cause disloyalty and disaffection among the Indian postal staff. Before his dismissal he was twice given the opportunity of apologising, but refused. The Secretary of State sees no reason for re-opening the case.