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WARREN HASTINGS
BY -RADHIKA PRASAD
ROLL 2139
BA LLB (HONS.)
INTRODUCTION
Prior to establishment of a proper system of justice in India,the system was
full of grave injustice and corruption was rampant.As soon as the company
acquired the Diwani rights ,they called Warren Hastings to create a uniform
system of justice for proper judicial administration and revenue
collection.Till the middle 18th century ,the company held under it only three
presidency towns of Calcutta ,Bombay and Madras.As time passed,the
company expanded its political activities and brought new territories under
its control which came to be known as Moffusils.The first territorial
acquistion of the company consisted of Bengal , Bihar and Orissa.Here
Warren Hastings laid the foundation of the Adalat System in 1772. Until
then,Bengal was functioning by a system of Dual government introduced
by Rober Clive in 1765 which lasted till 1772.
JUDICIAL PLAN OF 1772
In each distict,an english collector was appointed for collection of land revenue.
For management of civil justice-
Mofussil Diwani Adalat was established for cases like property,Inheritance
etc.Decision in cases upto Rs. 500 was final.
Small Cause Adalat solved petty cases till Rs. 10.Head farmer Pergunnah was the
judge.It was designed to save travelling expenses of farmers.
For criminal justice Mofussil Foujdari Adalat was established.Moulvies interpreted
Muslim Law of Crimes while Qazi and Mufti gave fatwa and render judgement.
Two superior courts ,the Sadar diwani Adalat and Sadar Nizamat Adalat was also
established.
Sadar Diwani Adalat heard appeals from Mofussil Diwani Adalats over Rs. 500.
Sadar Nizamat Adalat was supervised by governor and council to control and reduce
corruption.
MERITS OF 1772 PLAN
It safeguarded personal laws of Hindus and Muslims.
By making Districts,unit of administration of justice it is no longer necessary for
them to cover long distance for reaching the courts.
Functions of Diwani and Faujdari Adalat were clearly defined.
Though the judges of the Adalat were english men they were assisted by the native
law officers well versed in Indian law.
Instead of taking commission from the litigant a court fee was to be deposited in the
government treasury. This put an end in judge taking personal interest in some cases
.So corruption ended.
DEMERITS OF 1772 PLAN
The collector was overburdened with heavy work as an administrator ,revenue
collector, civil judge and magistrate in the district.
Based on erroneous assumptions of Hastings that the Indian population consisted of
only hindus and muslims,only hindu and muslim laws were followed.No provision
for other communities.
Though functioning of Adalat was under Sadar Adalat at Calcutta,the absence of
adequate means of communication made it impossible for the Sadar Adalat to keep
constant watch on working of collectors.
As judges being Englishmen the native officers who assisted them misinterpreted
the provisions of the Quran and Sastras for their personal Interest.
JUDICIAL PLAN OF 1774
Abolition of institution of collector
Revenue:Diwan or Amil-judge of Mofussil Diwani Adalat and collected
land revenue.For proper collection,entire Mofussil area in Bengal , Bihar
and Orissa was divided into 6 divisions-Calcutta, Burdwan, Murshidabad,
Dinajpore, Dacca, Patna.Indian Naib Diwans were appointed in districts
under each provincial council to look after the same work.
Civil justice:cases decided by Mofussil Diwani Adalats appealable to
provincial council irrespective of subject matter.Provision for second appeal
to Sadar Diwani Adalat in cases exceeding value of Rs. 1000.
Criminal Reforms:Complaints against offices to be lodged with Governor-
General who would refer them to Sadar Nizamat Adalat for inquiry and
determination.
MERITS OF 1774 PLAN
English collectors were replaced by Indian Officers called Naibs.Thus,the
district judicial administration was put in the hands of Indians.