Who issued the Bengal Regulation and when? What do you understand by the term ‘Rule of Law’? What was the weakness of the legal system introduced by the British in India? – Answered

a. Bengal Regulation:

Lord Cornwallis announced the Bengal Regulation in 1793.

b. The Rule of Law:

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The concept of the ‘Rule of Law’ meant the government would be run according to certain principles and it would abide by laws. It also implied equality of all in the eye of law. It also implied that personal liberty of individuals would be protected.

c. Weakness in the British Legal System:

The legal system introduced by the British was based on the principle of equality before law. This meant that in the eyes of law all were equal.

But the system introduced by the British could not ensure equality of all before law. Discrimination was made between Europeans and Indians.

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In fact, the Europeans were given undue protection as no punishment could be given to any European by non-European judges.

Again, the introduction of court-fees made justice costlier for the poor people of the country.