A History of the Mahrattas v2.c49.4

v2.c49.4

No instance of greater neglect on the part of an administration, or of more extraordinary criminality in a subordinate officer, is recorded in the annals of any state than the case of Gassee Ram, Kotwal, or police superintendent, of the city of Poona. This man, a Bramin native of Hindoostan, employed the power with which he was vested in perpetrating the most dreadful murders. People disappeared, and no trace of them could be found. Gassee Ram was suspected, but Nana Furnuwees refused to listen to complaints, apparently absurd from their unexampled atrocity. At last, it being suspected that Gassee Ram was starving a respectable Bramin to death, Mannajee Phakray headed a party of the people, broke open the prison, and rescued the unfortunate Bramin, which led to the detection of the monster’s crimes; and he fell a victim to the vengeance of the exasperated populace, by whom he was stoned to death.¹