Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/839

 THE GREAT TRIAL.

��STATEMENT BEFORE THE COURT

��[The trial of Mr. Gandhi and Bhankarlal Banker took place at the Government circuit House- Ahmedabad, on Saturday the 18th March 1922 before Mr. C. N. Broomsfield, I. C. 8. District and Sessions Judge, Ahmedabad. The trial opened at 11 noon, the Honorable Sir J. T. Strangman, Advocate General, Bombay, conducting the prosecution. The accused were undefended.

The charges having been read out, the Judge called upon the accused to plead to the charge. He asked Mr. Gandhi whether he pleaded guilty or claimed to be tried.

Mr. Gandhi : " I plead guilty to all the charge?. I observe that the King's name has been omitted from the charges and it has been properly omitted."

The Judge Mr. Banker do you plead guilty or do you claim to be tried?"

Mr. Banker : " I plead guilty."

The advocate general then began to urge the trial. His argument over, the Court asked Mr. Gandhi :

of sentence ?"
 * ' Mr. Gandhi do you wish to make a statement on the question

Mr. Gandhi : " I would like to make a statement."

Court. " Could you give it to me in writing to put it on record ?"

Mr. Gandhi : * T shall give it as soon as I finish reading it."]

ORAL STATEMENT.

[Before reading his written statement, Mr. Gandhi spoke a few words as introductory remarks to the whole statement. He said :]

Before I read this statement, I would like to state that I entirely endorse the learned Advocate-General's remarks in connection with my humble -self. I think

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