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68. Evidence of MR. C. P. KNYVETT , District Superintendent of Police, Saharanpur.
51. The proportion of bad characters, who are
habitual moderate consumers of bhang, charas, and
ganja, is small. The moderate use of these drugs has
no connection with the commission of crime in general
or crime of any special character—but see question 55.
52. The same remarks apply equally to this
question.
53. The excessive indulgence in either of these
three drugs by a person who is not an habitual con-
sumer is liable to incite to unpremeditated crime;
it sometimes leads to quarrels and assaults. I know
of no case in which it has led to temporary homi-
cidal frenzy.
54. To the best of my belief they are never used
for this purpose.
55. Professional poisoners sometimes mix charas
with the country tobacco and give it to their
victims to smoke, in order to further their designs ;
but dhatura is their favourite poison. Non-profes-
sionals occasionally use charas for the same purpose.
Complete stupefaction, without admixture, is possible
to a non-consumer.
69. Evidence of MR. L. H. LOVETT -THOMAS , District Superintendent of Police,
Allahabad.
51. It is believed that no large proportion of bad
characters are habitual moderate consumers of any
of these drugs. The effects of indulging in these
drugs are said to be injurious to the success of a
criminal, as the partaker becomes enervated and
unfitted to carry on criminal propensities.
52. The same remarks apply to this heading,
except that the excessive indulgence magnifies the
evil results commented upon above.
53. It is believed, as a matter of course, excessive
indulgence does incite to unpremeditated crime of
all kinds; it pomotes poverty, and despair and all
the results of a debased life which naturally must
lead to a criminal end. No special instance of such
has been put up. The opinion is given as a general
one.
54. It is said that these drugs are rarely resorted
to by criminals as a means to fortify themselves to
commit crime of any class.
55. It is believed that such a practice is in vogue,
viz., criminals do now and again induce their
victims to partake of these drugs in order to
facilitate the commission of crime. It is believed
that complete stupefaction can be induced by these
drugs without admixture.
70. Evidence of MR. E. R. PARSONS, District Superintendent of Police, Lucknow.
51. (a) No, the percentage is not more than 15.
(b) None whatever.
52. The excessive use of either ganja or charas
affects the mind, and instances have been known of
men so affected committing crime.
53 and 54. No.
55. Yes, instances have been known of this, but
complete stupefaction cannot be induced without
admixture. Dhatura seed is most commonly
used.
71. Evidence of MR. J. D. YOUNG, District Superintendent of Police, Gorakhpur.
51. Yes, in towns. Almost every town thief is a
consumer of these drags. Not only do they commit
crime in order to obtain these drugs, but the use of
the drugs stimulates them to committing crimes.
52. Bad characters do undoubtedly indulge in
the excessive use of these drugs, but not in order to
commit crime.
53. Yes, sometimes, and I have known of such
cases, but cannot remember dates and places.
54 and 55. Yes.
Oral evidence.
Question 1.—I am in my 15th year of service in
the Police. I am now 4th grade District Superin-
tendent of Police. I have been in charge of a
district for all but 7 months of my service. I have
served in all parts of the province, from Etah and
Bijnor eastward.
Question 51.—I do not mean that consumers of
the drugs are stimulated to commit crime by their
ordinary use. The drugs cannot be said to give the
first incentive to crime. Neither do I regard liquor
as provocative of crime in England in the same sense.
My meaning is that criminals who are habitual
consumers take the drugs in the city, as the Domras
take liquor in the country before starting on an
enterprise.
Question 52.—Excessive use would render men
unfit for criminal undertakings, such as thefts and
robberies.
Question 53.—I think that a man under the in-
fluence of an excessive dose of the drugs would be
likely to commit a crime of violence if anything
occurred to suggest it to him while he was under the
excitement of the drug. I have heard of such cases,
but none has ever come under my personal notice.
I have had experience of such crime committed
under the influence of liquor. I do not think
excessive use of the drugs would incite to offences
against property in a similar manner; these are the
offences to which I alluded in my answer 51, as
connected with the moderate use.
Question 54.—In regard to crimes against
property I have already answered under 51. The
drugs are also taken by criminals to fortify them-
selves to commit crimes against the person. My
informant is Inspector Hira Singh of the Gorakhpur