 Other historians including Nick Lloyd, K. L. Tuteja, Anita Anand (journalist) and Kim A. Wagner have found this theory lacking evidence, and that neither was there a conspiracy or that Hans Raj was an "agent provocateur".O'Dwyer had contended without evidence that Dyer's violent suppression of the civilian demonstration was justified because the illegal gathering was part of a premeditated conspiracy to rebellion, timed supposedly to coincide with a rumoured Afghan invasion.Although O'Dwyer had implemented martial law in the Punjab, he denied responsibility for the consequences on the grounds that the government had relieved him of its general implementation.