SIMLA: An eye-witness account of the shooting of the rail-motor, on June 20, 1942, was given before the District and Sessions Judge Ambala, in Simla, at the further hearing today [April 21] of the Simla-Kalka rail-motor shooting outrage case.

Wing-Commander Mac Cregar … stated after the rail-car left Taxal Railway Station and was proceeding towards Kalka, he heard a crunching sound under the wheels at a sharp shoe-bend. The driver applied the brakes and the rail-car stopped. There were one or two shots fired from the right-hand side of the embankment but they did not come into the main body of the rail-car … Then the shots began continuously … The shots numbered about 12.

After firing ceased, the witness saw a muffled man with a single barreled gun of a large size on the left side … The witness and Lt. Getley thereafter raised their hands when they saw a masked man pointing his weapon towards them. The man fired, hitting Lt. Getley in the neck. The robber then called out: “Hands up and get out.” When the witness, Lt. Getley and Mrs. Lewis were out of the rail motor, the robber shouted “Money” whereupon the witness threw his identity card containing Rs. 50 in currency notes… — Dawn Delhi

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2019