Lecture Ludhiana — Page 29
29 that even Maulvi Abu Sa’eed Muhammad Hussein Batalvi, an arch enemy of this Jama'at, appeared as a witness and did his utmost to establish the case against me. The case was heard by Captain Douglas, the Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur, who is now posted probably at Simla. The case was duly heard and completed and all the witnesses against me were produced with great fanfare and clamour. In the circumstances not even the best of lawyers could say that I would be acquitted. The prevail- ing situation, and other factors, demanded that the case be committed to the Sessions who could have sentenced me to transportation for life or even to death. But just as God forewarned me about the case, so did He reveal to me in advance that I would be acquitted. A large number of people belonging to my Jama'at knew about this revela- tion. When the case reached a stage when the prosecution and my opponents believed that the magistrate would commit the case to the Sessions, Captain Douglas told the Police Superintendent that he had a hunch that the case was a frame-up and he couldn’t believe that such an attempt was ever made and that the defendant sent some- one to murder Dr. Clark. He asked the superintendent to investigate the case himself. This was the time when not only were my opponents busy plotting against me, but those who claimed that their prayers were heard and accepted, were tearfully soliciting God to punish me. But who can fight God? I also know that some people ap- proached Capt. Douglas and tried to influence him, but