THE EDALJI CASE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 13

THE EDALJI CASE.

Last Saturday's newspaper contained the report of the committee appointed to investigate the EdaJji case, and the decision of the Home Secretary thereon. Tho commissioners state that they cannot agree with the verdict of the jury,— that is, with the verdict of guilty. Tho view of the case wliich they have taken is, they declare, however, on 3 which would not have warranted tho Home Office in interfering with the conviction in view of the memorandum prepared by Sir Kenelm Digby as to the practice of tho Home Office. They go on to state, on tho one hand, that ths conviction ought not to havo taken place, and that it brought upon Edalji the total ruiii of his professional position and prospects. On the other hand, they are unable to disagree witn what they tako to be the finding of the JAiry as to the 'Authorship of the letters, and cannot but see that, "assuming him to be an innocent man, he has to some extent brought his troubles upon himself." Thoy add jthat they are anxious that it should be clearly understood' that whafe' they have suia implies no criticism of the, decision of tho- late and the present Home Secretaries not to interfere with N Edalji's conviction ac that decision was obviously in accordance with the principles acted upon by the Home Office, in cases of alleged wrongful 'conviction. Under their reference, however, they have felt themselves free to consider tho case from a less restricted point of view. "Wo have regarded it as a very exceptional case which may be properly considered in an exceptional manner. 5 ' ' Fin.illy, they exonerate the Home Office officials.