A narrative of the Alipore Bomb trial by the defence lawyer along with authentic reports & material related to the trial.
STATEMENT OF THE ACCUSED PERSONS
STATEMENT OF BARINDRA GHOSE.
The statement of Barindra Kumar Ghose, aged about 28 years, made before me, L. Birley, Magistrate of the first class at Alipore on the 4th day of May 1908 in the English Language My name is Barindra Kumar Ghose. My father's name is Doctor Krishnadhan Ghose.
Page 21
I am by caste Kayast, and by occupation formerly contributor to Jugantar. I was born at Croydon in England. My home is at Mauza, Thana District
I reside at 32, Moraripukur Road, Maniktolla.
Q. Do you wish to make a statement before me?
A. Yes.
Q. Do you understand that your statement being made before a Magistrate will be admissible in evidence against you?
Q. Is your statement being made voluntarily or has any pressure been put upon you to make it?
A. No. It is quite voluntary.
Q. Will you tell me what you have to say?
A. Whatever I had to say I have said in a written statement.
Q. Have you any objection to making that statement to me here?
A. Shall I begin from the very beginning?
Q. Yes.
A. In my statement I shall be a little vague about time because it is difficult to remember dates. I passed my Entrance Examination from the Deoghur School.
Q. At what age did you come to India?
A. When I was one year old. After passing the Entrance Examination I went to Dacca where my brother Manmohan Ghose was Professor and I read up to the First Arts there. After that I gave up my studies and went to Baroda where my brother Arabinda Ghose was a Professor in the Gaekwar's Collage. There I devoted myself to the study of History and Political Missionary. I moved about from District to District and started gymnasiums. There young men were brought together to learn physical exercises and study politics. I went on preaching the cause of independence for nearly two years. By that time I had been through almost all the Districts of Bengal, I got then returned to Bengal convinced that a purely political propaganda would not do for the country and that people must be trained up spiritually to face dangers. I had an idea of starting a religious institution. By that time the Swadeshi and Boycott agitation had begun. I thought of taking men under my own instruction to teach them and so I began to collect this band which has been arrested. With my friend Abinash Bhattacharjya (now under arrest) and Bhupendra Nath Dutta (now in
Page 22
jail) I started the Jugantar paper. We managed it for nearly 1 ½ years and then gave it over to the present managers. After I gave it up I took again to the recruiting. I collected altogether 14 or 15 young men from about the beginning of 1907 until now. I educated the boys in religious books and politics. We are always thinking of a far off revolution and wished to be ready for it, so we were collecting weapons in small quantities. Altogether I have collected 11 revolvers, 4 rifles and 1 gun. Among other young men who came to be admitted to our circle was Ullaskar Dutt; I don't remember exactly when but about the beginning of this year. He said that he wanted to come among us and be useful as he had learnt the preparation of explosives. He had a small laboratory in his house without his father's knowledge and he experimented there. I never saw it, he told me of it. With his help we began preparing explosives in small quantities in the garden house at 32 Moraripukur Road. In the meantime another friend of ours Hem Chandra Das of Kundrai in Midnapore District after I think selling part of his property went to Paris to learn mechanics and if possible explosives.
Q. When did he go?
A. Approximately in the middle of 1907.
Q. When did he return?
A. Three or four months ago.
When he came back to join Ullaskar Dutt in preparing explosives and bombs.
Q. Where did he do it?
A. At 38-4 Raja Nabakrishna's Street, Calcutta, and at a house which he had rented in Bagh Bazar viz.15 Gopi Mohan Dutta's Street.
About 5 or 6 months ago that is after press prosecution became numerous we began to think of using explosives; and wherever we went for money we were encouraged to use explosives. Thinking that to be the voice of the nation we submitted and began serious preparations. That first attempt which we made was in French Chandernagore when the Lieutenant-Governor was going to Ranchi. Ullaskar Dutt went to Chandernagore with a small dynamite mine and some fuse and detonators and tried to place it on the line just before the special came, he was disturbed at the first place where he began by people coming out of their houses. He tried another place and could not place it properly and the special came and he hurriedly dropt 2 to 3 cartridges and went away, there was a futile explosion.
Q. What is your authority for this statement?
A. I sent him. I, Ullaskar and Upendranath Banerji used to do these things in consultation. I heard the account from Ullaskar.
Page 23
When the Lieutenant-Governor was coming back from Cuttack two others started with a similar object viz., Profulla Chandra Chaki of Bogra and Bibhuty Bhusan Sarkar (of Santipur I believe) I went with them. We thought he would come back via Asansol. We went to Chandernagore.
Q. What had you with you?
A. A mine and fuse.
We waited but he did not come that way.
Q. Did you lay the mine?
Q. Where?
A. Between Chandernagore and Mankundu Stations. As he did not come we picked it up and brought it away;we enquired at Chanderbagore Station and we were told that the Lieutenant-Governor was not coming that way.
The third time we went on a similar errand to Kharagpur.
Q. Who went?
A. The same 3, I Profulla and Bibhuti. We left the train at Kharagpur at 10A.M. In the afternoon we went by train to Narayangarah where we waited on the road which parallel to the Railway line. When it was dark we went to the Railway line and waited till 9 P.M. We waited at a spot about a mile from Narayangarah on the Kharagpur side. Here I shall give minute details because innocent people have been punished for this offence. We had with us a mine made of 6 lbs. Of dynamite charged in a thick iron vessel with a lid at the top. The lid had a hold in the centre. We had a fuse made of picric compound and powder was placed in a paper tube; we used a leaden pipe in case it should get choked by ballast. While we were placing the mine the leaden pipe was found too long so we cut a piece off and threw it down there. We had a dark lantern with candles. We had various things wrapped up in paper and we had copies of the Englishman and of the Bande Mataram; we also left them behind. They had stains of picric acid on them because the fuse was wrapped up in them. We put cotton in the card board box and then fuse and then cotton over it. We left the pieces of cotton behind. We ate sweets there near some bushes below the line: we left some sal leaves with the remnants of the food. We placed the mine there and between 11 and 12 at night I alone went back to Narayangarah and went by the last down passenger to Calcutta. I left behind the two boys and they placed the fuse on the line when the special came. They said they were about 1 ½ miles away when the explosion took place. We took no assistance from any cooly or any one else.
Page 24
After that there was a bomb outrage at Chandernagore. Hem Chandra Das prepared the bomb. Indu Bhusan Rai of Jessor and I and Narendra Nath Gossami of Serampore went to Chandernagore together: we left the train at Mankundu Station at sunset. We went straight to Chandernagore Strand and waited till 10 P.M .We did not see the Mayor that night. We went and stayed the night under a tree near the Station and the next morning Indra and Narendra went to Serampore to Narendra's place. Naren is the son of Nando Lal Gossami, Zemindar.
I returned to Calcutta. We 3 went to Chandernagore again the same evening.
I left the train there and Indra and Naren left at Mankundu. We met in the Strand and Indra undertook to throw the bomb. He went to the window of the dining room where the Mayor was dining with his wife; that was on the ground floor in a bye lane. He threw the bomb through the window gratings. We three went to Telinipara Ghat and crossed the river to Shamnagar and thence to Calcutta. The bomb did not work; we came to the conclusion that the picric acid was bad. I was at a little distance when Indra threw it.
There is one more incident, that at Mazafferpore and I shall explain it. Profulla Chandra Chaki insisted on going with a bomb to Mozafferpore to do away with Mr. Kingsford because he had tried the cases against the Nationalist papers. The people in the country demanded his death.
Hem Chandra and Ullaskar prepared the bomb at 15 Gopi Mohun Dutt's Lane, it was made of dynamite put in a tin case with a wooden handle. Upendranath and I consented to Prafulla going, and Hem Chandra recommended Khudi Ram Bose of Midnapore, he was also allowed to go. I gave them two revolvers because they wanted to kill themselves if they were caught. Khudi Ram Bose was an outsider. He did not know of the garden house or of 15, Gopi Mohun Dutt's Lane. He was staying with Hem Chandra Das . I took Profulla from the garden house, No.32 Muraripukur Road to 15 Gopi Mohun Dutt's Lane and there he packed the bomb in a canvas bag and revolver with it.
Q. Where did you get the revolvers?
A. I do not wish to say.
I took Profulla to Hem's place and left him with Khudi Ram. I was told that they started the same night.
Q. When were you arrested?
A. The day before yesterday early in the morning.
Page 25
A. At 32 Muraripukur Road.
Q. Who else was there?
A. Ullaskar Dutt.
Upendra Nath Banerji.
Indra Bhusan Rai.
Bibhuti Bhusan Sarkar.
Pares Chandra Maullik.
Nalini Kanta Gupta.
Kunjo Lal Saha.
Sachindra Nath sen.
Purna Chandra Sen.
Hemendra Nath Ghose.
Sisir Kumar Ghose.
Bijoy Chandra Nag and others.
Q. What were they doing there?
A. They are being instructed by me and Upendranath in religious and political books.
Q. Do they live there?
A. Yes they were staying there with us.
Q. How was this household supported?
A. I collected money from different people for supporting them. The object was to teach them and sent out missionaries and for this anarchical work.
Q. What did the Police find?
A. They found the weapons which I have mentioned and a quantity of dynamite and some bottles of nitric acid, sulphuric acid and picric acid. These things were buried in two iron tanks in the ground and in an earthen pot.
The police found one and I pointed out the other two. There is one other thing which I can't tell you, viz., the supporter's names.
Q. Are any people out now on similar errands?
A. No.
I also want to say that we are not responsible for shooting Mr. Allen nor for the Kustia shooting case.
Q. Have you planned to destroy any one else?
A. No. We have discussed destroying the Viceroy and the Commander-in-Chief but the plans took no practical form. We never believed that political murder will bring independence.
Page 26
Q. They why do you do it?
A. We believe the people wanted it.
(Sd.) L. Birley.
4-5-08
Please take down my motive for disclosing these facts. Our party was divided as to propriety of disclosing these facts. Some thought they would deny everything and take the consequences but I persuaded them all to give written and oral statements to Inspector Ramsaday Mukerji because I believe that as this band was found out, it was best not to do any other work in the country, and because we ought to save the innocent.
(Sd.) L.Birley.
4-5-08.
(Sd.) Barindra Kumar Ghose,
(Signature of the accused.)
I believed that the confession was voluntarily made. It was taken in my presence and hearing and was read over to the person making it, and admitted by him to be correct, and it contains a full and true account of the statement made by him.
(Signature of Magistrate.)
The statement was recorded in open Court between 3 and 5 p.m. The accused was guarded by 2 constables of the Bengal Police and not by the Calcutta Police Constables who brought him. No other Police Officer was in Court.
(Sd.)L.Birley.
---------------
The statement of Bibhuti Bhusan Sarcar, aged about 20 years, made before me L.Birley, Magistrate of the 1st class at Alipore on the 4th day of May 1908, in the Bengali language.
My name is Bibhuti Bhusan sarkar. My father's name is Sarada Prasad Sarkar. I am by caste Kayst, and by occupation reading, living in Moraripukur Garden. My home is at Mouza Santipur, Sutragarh, Thana Santipur, District Nadia. I reside at 32 Muraripukur Road, Maniktolla.
I wish to make a statement. I understand that I am before a Magistrate and that what I say will be evidence against me. No one has compelled me to say anything.
I have been living at Muraripukur garden house since the time when the L.G. was the returning from Cuttack and there was a plot to put a bomb on the line. What I know about that occurrence is
Page 27
that I dug a hole in the line by the side of bridge: at that time Prafulla Chaki was with me. Barendra, Prafulla and I all went to Chandernagore, but the L.G. Did not come by the E.I.R. Line. We waited from 4 P.M. Till morning and then took the mine away because the L.G. Did not come. We had only made a hole and not put the mine in it.
After that when the L.G. Had gone to Cuttuck, Prafulla and I went by the Puri passenger and Left the train at Benapur about 2.30 P.M. From Benapur we walked in the direction of Narayangarh to look for a place to place a bomb.
After going 4 miles we found a good place; we went to a place by the side of the road under a tree. After 9 P.M. Prafulla and I went out to make a hole by the line and by 2.30 A.M. Made it ready and walked to Khargpur and returned to Calcutta by the Bombay mail. On the day when the L.G. Was expected I and Barendra and Prafulla with a mine and lead pipe which Baren produced, went to Khargpur in the Asansol passenger. We went on by the Puri passenger to Narayangarh and then to the place where the hole was. The L.G. Did not come that day. We returned with the mine to Khargpur; Prafulla and I waited at the waiting room and Barendra returned to Calcutta, The next day Baren came to us at Khargpur with an Englishman newspaper. From the paper e saw that the L.G. Would come next day; next day we went by the Puri passenger arriving at Naryangarh at 4 P.M. At 8 P.M. We went to the hole and at 11 P.M. Put the mine in the hole and Baren Babu returned at midnight to Calcutta by the Puri passenger.
Prafulla and I stayed till 2.35 A.M. And at 2-30 A.M. We had placed the fuse on the line. We walked away towards Khargpur. After going two miles we heard the explosion of the mine.
I did this because the Mahamadas opposed the Hindus at Jamalpur and Comilla and I learnt that it was done on behalf of the English.
The statement of Ullaskar Dutt, aged about 22 years, made before me L.Birley Magistrate of the 1st class at Alipore, on the 4th day of May 1908, in th4e English language.
My name is Ullaskar Dutt. My father's name is Dwija Das Dutta. I am by caste Boidyo, and by occupation cowkeeper. My home is at Manza Kalikanxha, Thana Brahmanberia, District Tippera. I reside at Sibpur P.S.Sibpur, District Howrath.
Q. Do you wish to make a statement to me?
Page 28
Q. Do you understand that the statement which you will make before me being made before a Magistrate will be admissible as evidence against you.
A Yes.
Q. Is the statement made on account to any pressure being brought to bear upon you?
A. No. I should like to make the same statement as the written statement which I have given to the Police.
Q. Have you objection to making a statement orally to me?
Q. What is your story?
A. I had known Barendra Kumar Ghosh for 4 or 5 years and 9 or 10 months ago I joined his Society.
Q. What are the circumstances under which you joined?
A. It had been announced in the Jugantar that a Secret Society would be started and I had a natural inclination to join so I got introduced by Barendra.
Q. What used you to do when you joined the Society?
A. I used to prepare explosives.
Q. When did you learn this?
A. Before I joined.
Q. How?
A. I made a private laboratory of my own and tried experiments with small quantities?
Q. Where you taught?
A.. No.
Q. What particular occurrences have you any information to give about?
A. I was present at a futile attempt at train wrecking at Chandernagore. I went myself alone and I took a mine made out of an iron cylinder with dynamite in it. I could not set it properly because the train came up very quickly and I could not arrange it.
Q. For whom the mine was intended?
A. For Sir Andrew Fraser's special train.
Q. Who made that mine?
A. I myself.
After that was the Khargpur affair. I did not go to that Baren, Bibhuti and Profulla Chandra Chaki went. They took another mine.
Page 29
Q. Who made it?
A. I made it.
A. In a house in Gonabagan in a lane of which I forget the name. We hired the house, perhaps Baren Babu hired it.
Q. What was the mine like?
A. It was in a cast iron cylinder; it contained 5 lbs. Of dynamite. There was a fuse made of picric acid and clorate of potash.
Q. Did you make any explosives for use on any other particular occasion?
A. No. Q. Where you arrested?
A. At 32 Moraripukur Road.
Q. How long had you been there?
A. I used to go there for 2 or 5 days at a time and had been in the habit of doing so for about 8 or 10 months.
Q. What used to take place there?
A. We had a religious and moral training class for new comers. I used to read the Upanishad (a sacred book) there. I used also to prepare and experiment with explosives.
Q. Did any one else prepare and experiment with explosives?
A. Not there. Hem Chunder Das, who recently came from France used to prepare explosives and bombs at his own place and t Gopi Mohun Dutt's Lane.
Q. Have you anything else to say?
A. If you question me I can say.
Q. Do you know anything about the Mozafferpore outrage?
A. Yes. I know that Profulla Chandra Chaki and Khudiram Bose went out for that purpose. I know because I was at Gopi Mohun Dutt's Lane, when they started about a week ago in the evening.
Q. What did they take with them?
A. A bomb.
Q. How did they take it?
A. In a canvas bag belonging to us and to no body in particular.
Q. Do you know who made the bomb?
A. I heard that Hem made it but I was not there when he made it.
Page 30
Q. Who are the leaders of the Society?
A. There is no recognised leader, but Barin Babu acts as a leader.
Q. Who are the members ?
A. Baren, I, Hem Chandra Das, Upeudranath Banerji, Indra Bhusan Rai, Profulla Chandra Chaki, Bibhuty Bhusan Sarkar; these are the actual workers; there are others who were new comers and need to be in the garden but have not been taken into confidence.
Q. You say you made the mine for the Khargpur affair. To whom did you give it?
A. To Barin Babu : he took it from the house at Goabagan.
(Sd). L. Birley, 4-5-OS.
I wish to add that the object of my confession is that innocent persons shall not suffer.
(Sd.) Ullaekar Dutt. ( Signature of the accused).
( Sd ). L. Birley. (Signature of the Magistrate).
------------------------
The statement of Indra. Bhusan Rai, aged about I8 years, made before me L. Birley , Magistrate of the Ist class at Alipore on the 4th day of May 1908, in the English language.
My name is Indra Bhusan Rai. My father's name is Tarak Nath Rai. I am by caste Kayast and by occupation Talukdar. My home is at Mouza Sriphaltolla, Thane khulna, District Khulna. I reside at 32 Moraripukur Road, Maniktolla.
Q. Do you wish to make a statement ?
A. Yes. I have already made one.
Q. Do you wish to make it to me, a Magistrate, knowing that it can be used as evidence against you ?
A. Yes I understand.
Q. Has any one put pressure to you to make a statement ?
Q. What have you to say ?
A. I have been living at 32 Moraripukur Road for a month and a half studying Gita and preparing shells.
Q. Under what circumstances did you first go there?
Page 31
A. I met Baren Babu 1½ months ago in College Square: I knew his name before. He told me there was a secret Society and said he could allow me to join if I wished.
Q. Did he say what its object was ?
A. No. I knew already that its object was to make India free from the Foreign Yoke, and to establish a better government.
Q. Where were you educated?
A. I was taught at the Azeegara High School in Khulna District and in 1907 March I failed in the entrance Examination. After that I was at home for 2 months and then I wandered about. I left home because my father wanted me to marry and I wished to live a life of Brahmochari.
At Barin Babu's invitation I joined the Society and went to live at 32 Moraripukur Road. A few days after I went there I began to prepare shells with Barin Babu, Bibhuti Sircar and Prafulla Chaki.
Q. Was anything done with these shells?
A. Yes. I have thrown a bomb in Chandernagore at the Mayor. I went with Barin Babu and a Serampore man whose name I do not know, I threw a bomb at 9pm. into the room where the Mayor was taking his food with his wife. The bomb did not burst. I ran away after I had thrown it. We three met together in the Strand Road and Barin Babu showed me the Mayor's house and then we 3 went near the Mayor's house and Barin and the Serampore man went into a lane.
Q. Did you take part in any other occurrence?
A. The main object of my sacrificing my life is to set examples in the country.
Q. Who taught you these ideas?
A. I got them from studying histories viz. Anandomath of Bakim Babu, and Russian Revolutionary History.
4th May,1908.
The statement of Upendra Nath Banerji, aged about 29 years, made before me L. Birley, Magistrate of the 1sr class at Alipore on the 4th day of May 1908 in the English language.
Page 32
Q. Do you understand that if you make a statement to me, a Magistrate, the statement will be admissible as evidence against you.
Q. Has any pressure been used to get you to make a statement? A. No.
Q. What have you to say?
A. I passed the F. A. Examination from Dupleix College, Chandernagore in 1898. I studied in the Medical College Calcutta for 2 years and I gave up my studies through failure of health for 1 year and then joined the Duff College of Calcutta where I studied for about 2 years and then joined the Adwaita Asram in Mayabati, Almora, for studying Hindu Philosophy and Yoga. After being there nearly 2 years I went home and was engaged as Assistant Head Master in the Garbati High School, British Chandernagore. I stuck to the post for nearly 1 ½ years and was then 2nd master in the Bhadreswar English School for about a year. With a view to serve my country I gave up this post and joined the Bande Mataram staff as an assistant editor. I had that post for nearly a year, at this time I was a regular contributor to the Jugantar.
In order to carry out our work systematically I thought it necessary to found a sort of religious political society which would devote itself wholly to the cause of Indian regeneration but as I thought that the people of India would not be made to do any work except through religion I wanted the help of some Sadhus, I wandered about India looking for Sadhus but couldn't find any. Failing Sadhus I fell back upon school boys and collected them to give them religious moral and political education. Barindra Ghose had began to collect youths and in September last I joined him. Since then I have been mainly engaged in teaching the boys about the state of our country and the need of independence and that the only way left us is to fight for independence and to start secret societies in different parts of the country to propagate ideas and collect arms and rise in rebellion when the time shall be ripe. I knew that Barindra, Ullaskar and Hem were engaged in manufacturing bombs with a view to do away with the lives of those Government officials who by repressive measures hampered our work viz. The Lieutenant-Governor and Mr. Kingsford.
Barindra told me before he started that he was going to try to wreck the Lieutenant-Governor's train at Khargpur: when he came back he said he had laid the mine. Bibhuti and Profulla went with him. I know this because Barindra told me. He told me they had reported to him that it had been successful and they had heard a loud explosion.
Page 33
A. I heard from Barindra about a fortnight ago that Profulla and Khudiram would be sent to Mozafferpore to take Mr. Kingsford's life.
Q. What did you say when you heard this?
A. I said nothing because I was not in charge of that department, but in charge of the education of the boys.
Q. Was Profulla under your instructions?
A. No. I used to teach the new recruits. I have made this statement because we agreed to tell the truth if arrested so that the innocent might not suffer, and that our successors may use greater caution.
The statement of accused aged about 18 years, made before me L. Birley, Magistrate of the last Class, at Alipore on the 11th day of May 1908, in the English language.
Q. Do you understand that I am a Magistrate and that anything which you say to me can be used as evidence against you?
Q. Has any pressure been used to induce you to make a statement?
Q. Where were you at School?
A. I was a pupil at the Khulna Zilla School until nearly 2 years ago.
Q. Why did you leave?
A. For 2 reasons, first because of the swadeshi agitation, and secondly because I failed in 2 subjects in a School Examination.
Q. What did you do then?
A. My father sent me to Sahebgange to my brother Narendra Kumar Sircar, who was assistant Jailor at Bhagalpur. My father wished me either to get employment or continue my studies. I had no mind to learn at the Calcutta University or to get an official employment. I therefore left my brother after about 15 days and went to Calcutta and became acquainted with Barindra Kumar Ghose.
Q. When was that?
A. About a year and a half ago.
Page 34
Q. How did you make his acquaintance?
A. I met him at the Jugantar Office where I used to get the Jugantar newspaper: the office is at 41 Champatola 1st Lane. I assisted at publishing the newspaper.
Q. Who were managing it then?
A. Abinash Chandra Bhattacharjee was Manager and there were also helping in the office Upendra Nath Banerjee, Barindra Kumar Ghose, Dindayal and Sailendra Ghose. Dindayal was only living there: he was employed by the Tramways Co.
Q. How long did you help in the office?
A. I lived there one month. I took no pay. Upendra gave me some books and I bought others on his recommendation: he instructed me to read them.
Q. What books ?
A. “The works of Majini”, “Garibaldi”, “Desherkatha” by Sakarm Ganesh Deoskar, Bankim Babus's works, Bhudeb Babu's works (he was Director of Public Instruction), Uponishod, Gita. After being at the Jugantar office one month I went to Khulna and read these books there. I spent most of my time at Khulna and occasionally came to Maniktola and used to stay for 7 or 8 days at a time in the Garden house of Barindra. I first got to know the garden house while I was in the Jugantar office. Barindra took me there saying that there was a mission for religion and self-abnegation and political purposes.
Q. Who used to live at the Garden house?
A. Upendranath Banerjee who used to teach me from the books named above. These also used to be there Barindra, Sishir Kumar Ghose, Bejoy Kumar Nag, there were many others who used to come sometimes for a day at a time or a few hours. I cannot remember their names.
Q. What were the political purposes of the mission?
A. To serve the motherland and to serve the people.
Q. When did you last leave the Maniktolla Garden House?
A. Nearly 2 months ago, since when I have been at Khulna reading.
Q. How do you support yourself?
A. I was supported by my father who is Government Hospital Assistant.
A. I intended to teach illiterate people religion.
Q. How was the mission supported?
Page 35
A. Barindra had a lot of money.
11-5-08
The statement of accused Birendra Nath Ghose, aged about 17 1/2 years made before me L. Birley, Magistrate of the 1st class at Alipore on the 15th day of May 1908, in English language
Q. Do you understand that I am a Magistrate and that if you make a statement to me it can be used as evidence against you?
Q. Have the police ill-treated you in order to get you to make a statement?
Q. What is your history?
A. My father is a small landowner: I have 4 brothers viz., Satyendra Nath Ghosh, Dhirendra Nath, Sailendra Nath and Jitendra Nath.
Q. Are any of the people who have been arrested related to you?
A. Hemendra Kumar and Sishir Kumar are the sons of my father's cousin. Arabindo Ghose is the son-in-law of my cousin Bhupal Chandra Bose.
A. At Dibrugarh, which I left in October 1907. Then I went to Shillong to stay at the house of Bhupal Chandra Bose, Assistant Director of Land Records and Agriculture in Eastern Bengal. I went there with my nephew Sudhir Kumar Bosu. I stayed till December and then went to Khulna to study at the National School. I stayed in Khulna with my cousin Hemanto Kumar Mazumdar who was a teacher in the school. He was transferred to Jessore National School about the end December. After he left I stayed with Jatish Chandra Ghosh, a pleader at Khulna who is a distant relation of mine. I did not join the school because I could not get a permanent place to stay after Hemanto left. I went to my home in January. At the beginning of February I came to Calcutta with the mother of Jatish Chandra Ghose on the occasion of the occasion of the Ardhodya Jog. In Calcutta I stayed at 7 Hugul Kuria Lane, the house of Sirish Chandra Mozumdar, a relative of Jatish, and also at 46 Harrison Road with my brother Dhirendra Nath Ghose, who is a student at the Ripon College.
Page 36
Thence I returned home and came back to Calcutta after a few days.
Q. Why did you return to Calcutta ?
A. I wanted to study in the National Collage at Bowbazar Street, Calcutta, but I could not get a room in any mess. I met Indra Bhusan Ray at Khulna in December: he used to visit Khulna, his home being near there, he used to associate with the students at Khulna. I met him again in February when I came to Calcutta. I was then staying at 46 Harrison Road. I met Indra Bhushan Ray in the road near 46 Harrison Road and he told me that there was an Asram in a garden at Manicktolla, where Gita and other Indian Philosophy was taught by Upendra Nath Banerjee. As I had a religious turn of mind I went with him to that garden.
Q. When was that ?
A. At the beginning of March.
Q. What time of day did you go there ?
A. About 2 P.M.
Q. What did you find there?
A. I found some boys and young men there and talked with Upendra Nath Banerjee. He told me to read Gita and other books and asked me to visit the garden occasionally and to read there. I returned to 46 Harrison Road and went there again after about a week. I then stopped at the garden till the middle of March. I stayed day and night for 5 or 6 days. I was told that it was an Asram and that there was a regular class of Gita and other philosophical books. Upendra Nath Banerji was the teacher.
Q. Who else was living there?
A. Barindra Kumar Ghose Bibhuty Bhusan Sircar, Ullaskar Dutt, Indra Bhusan Ray, Sachindra Kumar Sen, Bejoy Kumar Nag and one or two more whose names I do not know.
Sachindra, Bejoy Kumar Nag and I regularly read Gita and the others studied privately.
I left the garden about the middle of March and returned to 46 Harrison Road. I went home again. I came back again to 46 Harrison Road and went to Deoghur with Dhirendra, my brother; that was about April 7th. I stayed till May 9 or 10; I then went home on May 13 and was arrested on May 14 in the morning.
Q. On how many occasions did you stay at the garden?
A. For about a week I went there daily and returned at night to 46 Harrison Road; and for about a week I stayed there day and night.
Q. Do you know the object of the Society there was?
Page 37
A. I was given some hints that after one year's complete religious training I should have to serve my country.
Q. How serve the country?
In any way in which Upendra Nath might describe; he told us that after a year's training we should be employed in work but did not say what kind of work but I was given to understand that I was to sacrifice my life and other secular concerns and do nothing except serve the country.
Q. Do you know what else was going on at the garden?
15-5-08.
Q. Do you understand that I am a Magistrate and that your statement will be admissable as evidence against you?
Q. Has any pressure been put upon you to get you to make a statement?
Q. What is your statement?
A. I passed the Entrance Examination from the Baranagar Victoria School and F.A. From the General Assembly's Institution in Calcutta. I went in for B.A. Examination from the Duff College and failed. While I was at the Duff College I became acquainted with Upendra Nath Banerjee of Chandernagore who became my friend. When we were in the 4th year class we thought of renouncing this world and leading the lives of sannayassis. Upen left College and went to Mayabati in Almora; after the examination I went to Benares and stayed with my brother and studied Hindu philosophy on Yoga. I was about a year at Benares and then I went to Mayabati and found my old friend Upendra Nath Banerjee there and I became acquainted with Ram Chandra Prabhu of Madras. I studied there Eastern and Western philosophy and so did my friends. When there was an earth-quake at Kangra valley Upen was sent to help the distressed. From there he went to Chandernagore, and when Lord Curzon trampled over the prayers and protests of the people and partitioned Bengal I decided to return to Bengal to serve the cause of my instead of shutting myself up. I was convinced that
Page 38
we must get freedom and that it was a sin not a stand against the tyranny and oppression of the Government. I therefore came to Hardwar and preached Swadeshi among the Sadhus and induced some of them to do the same. I was there a fortnight and then came to Benares. There I received a letter from Upen and came to Gondalpara in Chandernagore. There Upen showed me a few copies of the Yugantar and I studied them and I decided that we must secure the political independence of our country, and I asked Upen to enquire in the Yugantar office whether there was really such organization to free our country from the foreign yoke in Calcutta. That day I went to Chatra and I resolved to get a post in the education department so that I might preach to young boys the idea that it was by ceaseless hypocrisy and everlasting duplicity the English had conquered our country; and I got a post in Bhadreswar High English School. Four or 5 months after I heard from Upen that there was really a secret society at Calcutta under the leadership of Barindra Kumar Ghose, and he told me that he would join it soon. He was then also a teacher in the Bhadreswar English School. I then got a post at the Baidyabati School and Upen was appointed as assistant editor on the Bande Mataram staff.
Last hot weather I went to the Jugantar Office at 20 Champatolla Lane and I was introduced to Barindra by Upendra and thereafter I became friends with Barindra. He asked me to see him now and then. I returned home afterwards I saw him at 24 Goabagan Lane and I used to go to the Moraripukur Garden House. I went there 4 or 5 times.
Q. What was going on there?
A. On one occasion when I was there Barin told me that Upen was looking out for suitable place to establish and “Asram” for imparting religious and political education to boys. On one occasion when I was at 24 Goa Bagan Lane I saw Barin, Ullakar and another boy whose name I forget, they were ready to start for Chandernagore. I asked them what they would do and they told me that they were going to blow up the Lieutenant Governor's train. While we were talking Narendra Nath Goswami of Serampore came there. We five went to Howrah Station and thence by train in the evening towards Chandernagore. Barin asked Naren and me to help Ullaskar and the other boy by conducting them safely to Chatra. Naren and I alighted at Serampore and after sunset hired a carriage and went to Chandernagore. We left the carriage just opposite the Church and walked to Chandernagore Railway Station. There he waited 2 hours but did not find Ullaskar and the boy. But when we saw the Lieutenant Governor's Special passing safely we heard only 2 reports like those of crackers between Mankundu and Chandernagore Railway Station. We waited there half an hour more, but finding that Ullaskar and the boy did not come we went home.
Page 39
After the Khargpur incident I saw Barin and he told me that he, Profulla Chaki and others went to Khargpur and laid the mine.
On another occasion I was at the Moraripukur Road Garden House and there I saw Upen. We had a conversation about our organization and Upen told me that bombs were being prepared. I asked who prepared them and were they were kept but Upen told me that I should know the whole thing when I became a permanent lodger in the garden house and he asked me to join them shortly, I had been at 23 Scott's Lane on one occasion and there I found Upen, Barin, Abinash Chandra Bhattacharji and a boy of Utterpara who had come to take Arabinda Ghose to Utterpara for a lecture. Arabinda was in the house upstairs. I say this because Barin told me and I also saw him come down and get into a carriage. That night Baren took me to 78 Russa Road Bhawanipur and Upen accompanied us. I found there 4 and 5 boys whose names I did not enquire , Upen told Barin and me that the Mayor of Chandernagore prevented a public meeting being held and that he should be taught a lesson I stopped there for the night and I saw Ullaskar Dutt there. Next day I came home and 2 days after Narendra Nath Goswami of Serampore and a boy came to my house at Chatra and told me that they would go to kill the Mayor of Chandernagore that night and asked me to provide lodging for the boy at night in my house, The boy did not return to my house that night. After that I did not come to Calcutta because I have had dysentery. I do not know about the Kingsford affair or the Allen shooting case, nor have I had any conversation with members of the Society about those affairs.
Q. Are you a member of the Society?
A. I was not a registered member but I was to join them soon. I saw three revolvers when we went to Chandernagore. I was told by either Upen or Barin that Ullaskar was one of the bomb makers.
11-5-08.
English Translation of the statement of accused Norendra Nath Goswami made on 5-5-08 before Mr. L. Birley, District Magistrate, Alipore.
Q. Do you want to say anything before me?
Q. Do you understand that I am a Magistrate and whatever you will say before me may be taken as evidence against you.
Page 40
Q. Has any one taught you anything by force.
Q. What do you want to say?
A. When the government at the time of the Partition refused to listen to our petition, we tried to have “Swaraj” (Self-Government). I made the acquaintance of Barin about 2 years ago. My heart was touched by reading the “Jugantar” paper. After the convection of Bhupendra Nath Dutt, I tried to raise subscription to conduct the paper. I came to be acquainted with Hem Chandra Das, Upendra Nath Banerjee and Ullaskar Dutt.
Q. What did you do with them.
A. I didn't stay with them but held conversation with them on the subject of “Sawraj”.
Q. How was this Society maintained.
A. I do not know. Barin was the head. He knows everything.
Q. Did you do anything in particular.
A. I did. Barin came to me on the day next previous to the Bomb explosion in the Mayor's house, and asked me to see him in the Maniktollah Garden the following day. Barin went away. I followed him the next day. From the garden I, Barin and another boy went to Hem Das's house at 2 or 3 P.M. I don't know the name of the boy. From there we started at 3 P.M. The boy was with us. He had a bag with him with three revolvers and a bomb. We came to Howrah by tram car and thence went to Chandernagore. There we seated ourselves by the side of the Ganges. Three others joined us there from Chandernagore. I do not know them. Barin ordered one of them to look up what the Mayor was doing then. He returned without any information. Nothing happened that day. We stayed that day in a house in Chandernagore. I had never been to the place before this and do not know the way well. When we went to the house there was a man there then. We three stayed there that night. About 4 in the night we came to Chandernagore Station leaving our things there. I and the lad got into the same train and came down to Serampur. Barin went on to Calcutta. I and the lad went to my house. At about 5-35 P.M. We got a carriage and went to Mankundu and then to Chandernagore. On reaching the Ghat we saw Barin with the three boys and the bag. Barin ordered one of the boys to see what the Mayor was doing. The boy returning said that the Mayor had sat to his meal. I then went towards the Mayor's house with the boy who had come with us from Calcutta and another boy. We i.e., I and the boy
Page 41
from Calcutta and another boy of Chandernagore) had each a revolver in our hands. The boy who had come with us from Calcutta had also a bomb with him. Barin and the two others followed us at great distance. When I was 50 yds. Off from the Mayor's house the boy ran up and threw the bomb into the house through the window. There was a sound then like that of Pataka and we three fled away to the side of the Ganges and came to Shamnagore in a ferry boat. We joined Barin on the Ganges side. At Shamnagore we took a carriage and came to Maniktolla garden. The next day in the morning I went to Serampur.
Q. Why did you do this?
A. My blood became heated on reading the Jugantar paper; that is, my mind underwent a change.
(Sd. L.Birley.
5-5-08.
The statement of accused Kristo Jiban Sanyal, aged about 17 years. Made before me L. Birley, Magistrate of the 1st class Alipore on the 16th day of May 1908.
Q. Do you wish to make any statement to me?
Q. Has the Police oppressed you in any way?
Q. What statement will you make ?
A. I used to study (or read) in the Rajshahi Collegiate School up to September 1906. The Lieutenant-Governor went to see the school in the month of July and about 135 students did not go to school, because we did not want to make Saalam to Fuller Saheb. For this reason four students were expelled namely, I, Norendra Buxi, Girija Kanto, Mukutmani and Anantalal Roy.
Q. What happened after that?
A. I went to study in the Rungpur National School. I was a student there from the month of Aughran (November and December) till the month of Joisto,( May and June). From there I went home. I read about the Giridih National School in the “Nabasakti”. On hearing this I wrote a letter to Noren Buxi as to whether he should study there. He consented. I went to study at Giridid. Naren went a week later. We studied there
Page 42
from the month of Sraban (July and August) till the month of Aswin (October and November). After that we went home during the Poojah Vacation. We studied there up to the month of Baisak (April and May). After appearing at the examination I wrote to Poresh Chandra Mallick that I was going to Calcutta. I made the acquaintance of Paresh at Rungpur. After writing the letter I came to Calcutta with Naren Buxi and on arrival there I stayed at a mess in 44/3 , Harrison Road for about 2 or 3 hours. Paresh Chandra Mallick came there. I and Naren went with him to the Maniktollah Garden. I stayed there for 15 days and used to remain there day and night.
Q. Who were there?
A. Upendra Nath Banerjee. }
Barindra Nath Ghose. }
Narendra Nath Buxi. }
Bibhuti. }
Indro. } These persons always remained there. Others stayed there occasionally.
Sachen }.
Paresh. }
Ullas Dutt. }
Profulla Chaki. }
Q. What was taking place there?
A. Barin Ghose used to read Gita to me and Upen Banerjee used to read Upanishad to me. Barin also used to read about the Russo-Japanese War. Ullas Dutt delivered lectures regarding explosives on 2 days.
Q. How many of you were present when Ullas delivered lectures about explosives.
A. All those who were then staying at the Garden were present.
Q. What was the object of these persons?
A. To learn Gita and Upanishad and for the strength and good of the country.
Q. Did you see anything in the garden ?
A. I saw a long gun inside the room.
Q. When you were staying there, did any one leave the place to do any work?
A. Profulla Chaki went out with Barin. Four days after they left I went home. We went with Nirmal one day to Bhowanipore. He went to engage a house there for our men. A house was available, but was not engaged.
(Sd.) L. Birley,
16-5-08.
Page 43
On the 23rd June the accused Narendra Nath Gossain was tendered pardon under Section 337 Cr. P. Code. He having accepted it, was discharged under Sec.209 Cr. P. C. But detained in custody and was examined as a witness for the Crown. Altogether 222 witnesses were examined by the Crown from the 19th May to 15th August.
When the inquiry was drawing to a close the following orders were passed by the District Magistrate on 15th August 1908.
Examined witness No.222 No more witnesses present. At this stage Counsel for the prosecution informs me that he has certain other evidence which he desires to produce at the trial. The evidence referred to is of two kinds (1) translations of correspondence, books and reports and explanations of manuscript plans already admitted in evidence and files of the Jugantar, Novasakti, Bande Mataram and Sandya Newspaper. (2) New evidence including evidence of searches of houses of certain of the accused who were sent up after this trial begun but are not yet before me, and evidence as to the history of certain presses, and of the Bande Mataram and Jugantar being printed at the Sandya Office. It is proposed that if satisfied with the evidence I should commit the accused without recording this further evidence. With regard to the 1st kind of evidence I hold that there is no objection to committing the accused without first taking his evidence, and Counsel for the defence being asked whether the defence objects does not express any opinion. There will be delay in and the evidence has as a matter of fact been already admitted; with regard to the 2nd kind of evidence I hold that sufficient evidence has already been given before me to justify commitment of the accused and I wish to commit them without further delay. The higher Court will then decide whether this further evidence is to be admitted. Counsel for the prosecution being satisfied with this I shall not record further evidence before commitment. Counsel addressed the Court with reference to the charge and has asked me to consider the propriety of charging accused Barindra for abetment of murder. This question having been raised I postpone asking him to answer the question as to whether he claims to be tried as a European British subject. He will be asked to answer after he is informed of the charge. This is explained to him. I shall require some days to go through the evidence further. The accused are asked whether they wish to make any further statements evidence having been taken after their examination. None of them wish to make further statement. Postponed to August 19th. If I am not ready then I will give previous notice.
(Sd.) L. B.
19-8-08. I have informed Barindra Kumar Ghose that he will be tried for a abetment of murder and explained that if he claims his
Page 44
rights as European British subject he will be tried by the High Court and if not, he will be tried by the Sessions Court. He says he does not claim the right. Accused 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 13, 14, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33 and 34 charges under Sections 121,121A and 123 I. P. C. And committed for trial by the Court of Sessions.
The accused declined to cite any defence witnesses. I have explained to them that under Section 211, C. P. C. They are required to give a list of their witnesses at once but that they will be allowed till tomorrow to do it.
26-8-08. An application has been made to me today on behalf of the prosecution asking me to commit Barindra Kumar Ghose under Sec.121,121A & 123 I. P. C. Along with the 30 accused already committed. At the time when the question of committing him for abetment of murder was first raised, I stated that if I did commit him for that offence I should not also commit him for the offence under Chapter VI. I have again given the most careful consideration to the question and I find no reason for altering my decision. It is in my opinion desirable that when evidence is offered of a convincing nature which shows that a man has committed specific offences, he should first be tried for committing such offences in preference to trying him in connection with a general conspiracy. The principal involved in this case is the same as that which is applied in the common case of a gang of thieves or dacoits; if there is definite evidence of an individual being guilty in a specific theft or dacoity he is tried for that offence in preference to being tried with the gang. This is no bar to his being tried with the gang when he has first been tried for the specific offence, but it is not the custom to try him for both at the same time. Similarly in this case I hold that any person against whom there is evidence likely to secure conviction that he has committed a serious offence should first be tried for that offence. This is no bar to his being subsequently tried for the general conspiracy. If there is no bar to his being subsequently tried for the general conspiracy. If there were other accused who could be tried for specific individual acts I would commit them for trial for such acts, but there are not. Of the five overt acts three were committed in French territory, for these offences the accused cannot be tried here, in the Narayangarh case there is no evidence independent of confessions and a approver which directly implicates any of the accused. In the Mozafferpur case Barindra Kumar Ghose is the only man against whom there is such evidence as is likely to secure conviction. I therefore decide that it is proper that Barindra should first be tried for this individual offence. If after he has been so tried it is desired to try him also with reference to the conspiracy, there
Page 45
is nothing to prevent him from being so tried. I decline now to commit him for trial under Section 121,121A and 123 I, P. C.
2-9-08. The High Court have ordered me either to discharge Barindra Kumar Ghose or to commit him for trial under Sec.121,121A and 123 I. P. C. The evidence against him is stronger than that against any of the other accused. I shall therefore commit him for trial.
I have informed him that I am going to charge him under Sections 121, 121A, and 123 I. P. C and asked him whether he intends to claim his rights as a European British subject. He says he does not wish to claim his rights. He is charged under Sec.121,121A, and 123 I. P. C. And committed for trial by the Court of Sessions.
THE SECOND BATCH .
When these accused persons were committed to take their trial before the Court of Sessions several other persons who had subsequently been arrested were formed into a second batch and the preliminary enquiry into their case was made by the learned District Magistrate. These persons were-
Debo Brata Bose
Indra Nath Nandi
Nikihleswar Ray Mullik
Jotindra Nath Banerjee
Bejoy Chandra Bhattacharjee
Bal Krishna Hari Kane
Provash Chandra Deb
Charu Chandra Roy
Hari das Dass.
Complaint was preferred against them and Government sanction was put in and altogether 55 witnesses were examined by the Government. Charges were framed against all, except 4,8,9,(who were discharged), under sections 121,121A and 123 I. P. C. and they were committed on 14th September 1908, to take their trial before the Court of Sessions along with the other accused persons already committed by the same Magistrate.
Page 46
The charges as drawn up by Mr.L. Birley were as followed:-
I. L. Birley, District Magistrate of 24-Pergunnahs,hereby charge you accused
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33, 34 (names on paper attached).
First. That you on or about the 12 months preceding May, 15,1908 at various places in Bengal, including 32, Muraripukur Road, Maniktolah, which is in my jurisdiction did wage war against the King, attempted to wage war against the King, and abetted the waging of war against the King, and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 121 of the Penal Code, and within the cognisance of the Court Sessions.
Secondly. That you, on or about the 12 months preceding May 15, 1908 at various places in Bengal, including 32, Muraripukur Road, Maniktolah, did conspire to wage war against the King, and to deprive the King of the Sovereignty British India and did conspire to over-awe by criminal force the Government of India and the Local Government of Bengal and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 121A of the Indian Penal Code, and within the cognisance of the Court of Sessions.
Thirdly. That you, on or about the 12 months preceding May 15,1908 at various places in Bengal including 32, Muraripukur Road, Maniktolah, did by illegal omissions conceal the existence of a design to wage war against the King, intending and knowing that by such concealment you would facilitate the waging of such war and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 123 of the Indian Penal Code and within the cognisance of the Court of Sessions.
And I hereby direct that you be tried by the said Court on the said charges.
Dated 19th August, 1908, District Magistrate,
24-Pergunnahs.
Names of accused charged under Secs. 121,121A, and 123 I. P. C.
2.Indra Bhusan Roy. 3. Ullaskar Datt.
4. Upendra Nath Banerjee. 5. Sishir Kumar Ghose.
6. Nalini Kumar Sarkar 7. Sachindra Kumar Sen Gupta.
8.Paresh Chandra Maulik. 9. Kunja Lal Sah.
10.Bejoy Kumar Roy. 11. Narendra Nath Bakshi.
12.Purna Chunder Sen. 13. Hemendra Nath Ghose.
14. Bibhuti Bhusan Sarkar 15 Nirapada Rai.
Page 47
16. Kanai Lal Dutt. 17. Hemchandra Das.
18. Arabinda Ghose. 19. Abinash Chandra Bhattacharjee.
20. Sailendra Nath Bose. 21. Dindoyal Bose.
23. Sudhir Kumar Sarkar. 24. Krista Jiban Sanyal.
25. Hrishikesh Kanjilal. 26. Birendra Nath Ghose.
27. Dharani Nath Gupta. 28. Nagendra Nath Gupta.
29. Asok Chandra Nandi. 32. Sushil Kumar Sen.
33.Birendra Chandra Sen. 34. Hem Chandra Sen.
(Sd.) L .BIRLEY,
Dist. Magistrate,
19th August 1908.
Page 48
Home
E Library
Books
Share your feedback. Help us improve. Or ask a question.