'File 11/3 Vol. II Applications for manumission - REPATRIATION' [‎2r] (5/396)

No. 1 7 5/ of 1S48
Office of/xhe Adviser to
the Government^, Bahrain.
Dated, bth Shawaal 1348
f.
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To
H. B. M's Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ,
Bahrain.
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Memorandum
On various occasions the Sunni bhera uourt has
passed orders in the case of freed slaves dying intes
tate that their property reverts to their previous
owners, not to tne otate.
This, I believe, is legal according to Shera
law. The Bahrain Court, not recognising slavery or
any conditions pertaining to slavery, has refused to
admit such decisions. The Qpdis have now written to
H. E. Shaikh Hamad asking that he^should instruct his
courts to recognise the ohera rulings in tnis matter.
Incidentally ohaikh Abdul Latif bin Saad assured me
lately that the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Court always accepted the view
that property of ex slaves dying intestate^should
revert to their former owners or to the heirs oi tneir
former owners.
My own opinion is that although such a rule is
correct according to the ohera Law. it should not be
enforced by the State Courts, of which the bhera Court
is one. An unfortunate impression might be created
were it known publicly that the Bahrain Government en
forced a lav/ wnich in itself depended on the conLiuion
of slavery.
£6, v.i);
Adviser to the Government