3-034-678 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The late Hon. J. P. Norman, Deputy Chief Justice of Bengal, [India], 1871. 'The atrocious murder of the acting Chief Justice of Bengal, when entering the High Court in the Townhall of Calcutta, on the 20th September, has been felt as a severe shock by all concerned in the peace of India. The assassin being a Mohammedan, his act has been ascribed to the fanatical rage of the Wahabi sect, the Puritans of Islam, against the British government, the duty of a holy war for the expulsion of their Christian rulers being constantly preached among them. It seems to be the fact, however, that the motive of this crime was mixed with private vengeance, since Ameer Khan, the chief person engaged in it, had been detained in custody, under Mr. Justice Norman's warrant, upon a charge of treason and conspiracy at Patna, and a motion by counsel for his release was negatived by the decision of this Judge. Ameer Khan, with others, had subsequently been convicted, but had appealed for a new trial, pending which he seems to have been let out on bail...The murderer, having been arrested, was tried and convicted, as we learn by telegraph, on Thursday week. He was sentenced to be hanged that day fortnight'. From "Illustrated London News", 1871.