ECS
3
21
Attention is invited to section 36(d) of the Colonial Office Rules. In such a case as this, the grounds of dismissal must be definitely stated in writing; they must be communicated to the officer, that he may have full opportunity of exculpating himself, and the matter must be investigated by the Governor.
It will be observed that Captain May, in the paper given to Attar Singh, does not allege any act of bribery, receiving hush-money, or misfeasance of that sort, only "money-lending transactions".
The charge on which Attar Singh believes himself to have been dismissed is that of giving a loan to Da Rocha; but in case his admission, that he was present when Ganda Singh gave the loan, may be taken in any way against him, attention is particularly drawn to Attar Singh's statement (see printed papers, Attar Singh's petition of 12th March 1897, para 9) that his being present at the time when the money-lender Ganda Singh gave the loan to Da Rocha does not constitute a breach of rules then in force.
Attar Singh had served in the Hong Kong police force, away from his home in the Punjab, for 18 years, as regards which Captain May himself says, "he performed his police duties to my entire satisfaction, and bore a very good character".
His summary dismissal, therefore, with forfeiture of pension, even granting, as Captain says, that "it was found that he had been implicated in some money-lending transactions, which is against the regulations of the force", is a hard punishment, and seemingly out of proportion to the alleged offence.
While Attar Singh's punishment is thus severe, it is the more remarkable that Da Rocha, the man who had the loan from Ganda Singh, has been retained in Government service, and is at present in the Harbour Master's department at Hong Kong, on $65 a month and a house.
There have been, it appears, other police officers in the Hong Kong force charged also with offences in connection with this gambling-house, whose punishments have been modified, some pensions having been restored in full, and some in part.
Attar Singh prays to be restored to his position in the force at Hong Kong, his full pension rights being also restored. He does not wish to retire from service. If this request is not granted, he prays that he may receive the full pension to which his service entitles him.