Question

Q31) Consider the following statements
i) Ilbert Bill qualified the Indian judges and magistrates to try European offenders in criminal cases in the mofussil (small towns)
ii) Ilbert Bill was also known as Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill
iii) The Ilbert bill was passed in it’s original form without any modifications
Which of the above is/are correct?

• A. a) i Only
• B. b) iii Only
• C. c) i and ii
• D. d) i, ii and iii

Answer 1

The correct option is C c) i and ii

Ans (c)
Ilbert was the law member in the Viceroy’s Council. The Bill is also known as Criminal Procedure Amendment Bill of 1883. Proposed by Lord Rippon. This proposed to give Indian district magistrates and session judges the authority to try Europeans in criminal cases in the mofussil (small towns) as they already did in the presidency towns. It was opposed tooth and nail by the British Officials, Anglo-Indians etc. Rippon ultimately succumbed to the pressure and withdrew the bill. An amended bill was introduced which added a provision of trial by a mixed jury in such cases involving European offenders