Witnesses' Story of the Encounter Between Malwa and Majha Factions After an adjournment of several! days, the hearing wes continued on Tuesday in H. M. Police Court before Mr. King in which Husura Singh is charged with attempting to murder Jagat Singh during a fight between the Malwa and Majha factions in the Gurdwara, en the afternoon of July 25.
Mr, E, T- Maitland appeared for the pol W. Beatty and Clarke of the department of] the Municipal police.
In opening the proceed: ngs, Mr. Maitland said that the complainant was still in the hospital and unable to come to Comt. He was not yet out of danger and had some fever.
However, there were seven witnesses, who could be heard.
The Blagistrate—Has the accused counsel?
Accused—3Ir. Kentwell is appearing, but he is busy. I would like to adjourn the hearing until Saturday.
The Magistrate, however, decided to-go on with the case.
The first witness was Indar Singh, who gave a history of the present contention amongst the Sikhs, from [the Majha point of view. According to his story, the new working committee has been asking that they be installed for about six months, but Gajjan Singh, a Malwa, and his party have "refused to give over The Elusive Gujj On July 18 the new working committee went to the Gurdwara and asked Gujjan Singh why he did not} allow them to take over their duties, Gujjan replied that the matter was being discussed with the police. Gujian finally said that he would hand over control on July-23. On that date they again went there at the specified time, but Gujjan sent] word that he was sleeping and for them to come back the next day.
They went, accordingly, but were put] off till the following day (Sunday), the day on which the trouble) occurred.
On Sunday there was general meeting. Gujjan came with 40 of his followers, all of whom were armed with sticks. Some of the Majha men were also armed in this manner. After the meeting they again asked Gujjan why he did not give over control of the temple. Gujjan replied that he would do this shortly. After the sweetmeats had been distributed and all were preparing to leave, Gujjan, who was the verandah upstai "Why do you not give charge to the Majha?" This, witness explained, was a Sikh challenge. Mr. Clarke} The Malwa then began to beat the no trouble Majha with sticks, witness said, Witness saw Jagat Singh fall to the ground, but was unable to say who struck him. The defendant, Husura Singh, was amongst those near by, however. Witness than said, on' being questioned by the Magistrate, that he was a Majhal man, and denied having taken part in the fighting Five men were taken to the hospital, 'A Duaba and a Majha Asked whether or not he would like to cross-examine the witness, d that he would like an until Saturday so that, his lawyer could be present. The Magistrate replied that he could not whereupon defendant said that he did not care to have bail.
Tt was finally decided, in order to! save time, that direct examination of the remaining witnesses should be proceeded with and that depositions should be sent to Mr. Kentwell and he would be allowed to cross-examine.
The next witness was Sohan Singh, [whose story was practically the same as the last witness, except that he! aid that he had seen defendant hit} the complainant with his stick while] friend ofthe latter was putting on his shoe. Singh, ac- Defendant tad struck the complain-cording to his evidence, showed that ant twice on the back, Witness also said that he had heard Gajjan Singh, shout to his followers that if they weve arrested he would employ a ever to defend them.
Lockman Singh, the next wi related the same story as the last that as soon as he) 9 saw the defendant hit complainant he (witness) had gone to his home. He did not see any other assaults, Asked what his faction was, witness said that he was Duaba. Mr. Clarke explained to the Court that this ws the same as Majha and that the witness had simply said this order te avoid coming ut ireety and was a Majha, 'Hazara Singh was the last witness story was the same as the') other witnesses, but he had not seen anyone hit Jagat Singh.
At this stage Mr. Maitland said that there were all of the w present. Two of the principal wi nesses were still in hospital. The case day morning. Bail was applied for, but not allowed by the Magistrate.
Ix HIM. Police Court, last Friday, F, Butt was fined $3 for not having a licence for his motor car, the mission not being denied. H. Holgate, charged with a similar offence, offered what the Magistrate considered to be a reasonable excuse, and a conviction was registered but nese messenger coolie employed by the Eastern Extension Telegraph Ca, was fined $20 in the Mixed Court on Saturday. The offended of Assessor Martin and Magistrate]
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.