Sohan Lal, Bhai, son of Lachman Das, of Aulakh, P. S. Nakodar, District
Jullundur. Was formerly a teacher in the Government School at Nakodar
and went to America in 1907 and settled in Vancouver. Made himself
conspicuous in connection with the agitation at that place. Became
Secretary of the United India League at Vancouver. Spoke at a meeting
held at the Sikh Temple, Vancouver on the 10th of January 1914. Was a
member of the Shore Committee. Along with Raja Singh (a deceased
member of the Ghadr Party) of Barian Kalan, district Hoshiarpur and
Balwant Singh (hanged in the 2nd Supplementary Case) of village
Khurdpur, district Jullundur advised the passengers of the "Komagata
Maru" to return to India and raise the flag of rebellion. Attended a
meeting of the United India League at which very inflammatory speeches
were made in connection with the "Komagata Maru" affair. Was one of
the persons wounded by Bela Singh at the affray in the Sikh Temple at
Vancouver in October 1914, and admitted, in giving his evidence at the
trial of Bela Singh, that he had a secret meeting with Balwant Singh on
the Canada U. S. A. boundary in connection with the "Komagata Maru"
affair. In an intercepted letter from the San Francisco to Sohan Lal Pathak
(hanged) of village Palti district Lahore in Siam, mention was made of
efforts to induce Sohan Lal to go to China in the interests of the Ghadr
Party. Was a friend of Bhagwan Singh Granthi (formerly prominent
leader of the Ghadr Party), of village Viring, district Amritsar. Used to
send copies of the "Ghadr" to India. Was charged with conspiracy to murder the late Mr. Hopkinson and a Malcolm R. J. Reid, but was
acquitted due to lack of sufficient evidence. In August 1920 was elected a
member of the Committee appointed to collect and administer funds for
the relief of the families of Bhag Singh (killed in the Vancouver
Gurdwara), and Balwant Singh of Khurdpur (executed in the Second
Supplementary Case). Took a leading part in the meeting held to honor
the memory of Tilak, when funds were collected and sent to the Indian
National Congress was Assistant Secretary of the Canadian American
Press Society of the Doaba from 1922-1927. Took a prominent part in
Guru Gobind Singh's birthday celebrations from 29th December 1921 to
5th January 1922. Made a very seditious speech at a meeting of the
United India Home Rule League, on the occasion of the visit of Rt.
Honble Sastri to Canada to investigate the grievances of his countrymen
there. Made a violent anti-British speech in July 1924 on the occasion of
the departure of the Canadian Shahidi Jatha from Victoria, B. C. Was one
of the signatories to a petition presented to Lord Willingdon in April
1927 claiming full rights of citizenship to Indians in Canada. Was elected
President of the Canadian American Press Society of the Doaba in 1928.
Delivered a very seditious speech at a meeting of the Khalsa Diwan in
Vancouver on 28th July 1928 in which he exhorted his brethren to get
ready to fight British Imperialism, and told them that the Ghadr Party was
in direct communication with Russia. Towards the end of 1928 was
nominated to the Executive of the proposed Canadian branch of the
Indian National Congress. Returned from abroad about a few months ago,
and is present at his village where he is working as a moneylender. Has
not taken part in politics since his return and is reported to be quiet.