In a significant ruling on Tuesday, the Mohali Court sentenced self-styled pastor Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment for the 2018 Zirkpur rape case. Bajinder Singh, who was the head of the ‘Church of Glory and Wisdom’ in Chandigarh and known among his followers as the ‘Prophet Bajinder Singh Ministry,’ was found guilty in the case. Following the verdict, the victim expressed gratitude towards the judiciary and her supporters.
The case dates back to 2018 when a woman, who ran a dhaba in Zirkpur, accused Bajinder Singh of rape. She stated that she met Bajinder in 2017, and he enticed her with promises of taking her abroad and included her in his team of volunteers for security at events. The victim claimed that Bajinder raped her at his house in Sector 63, Chandigarh, and even recorded the incident. Bajinder was charged with rape, causing harm, and criminal intimidation.
Police revealed that Bajinder was arrested at Delhi Airport while attempting to flee to London, where he was set to attend a ‘healing event.’ Investigations also uncovered that the victim had given Bajinder ₹3 lakh under the pretext of being taken abroad, and a similar amount was extorted from another individual named Jatinder. Bajinder’s associates—Jatinder, Akbar, Sartaar Ali, Sucha Singh, Rajesh Chaudhary, and Sandeep Pehlwan—were also named in the FIR.
Bajinder Singh, originally from the Jat community in Haryana, had converted to Christianity during his time in prison after being involved in a murder case. Upon his release, he presented himself as a ‘miraculous healer’ and began his preaching activities in Punjab, establishing the ‘Church of Glory and Wisdom.’ He claimed to cure serious diseases like HIV. His YouTube channel had over 137,000 subscribers. However, his events related to ‘miracle healing’ and conversions had been surrounded by controversies in the past.
After the verdict, the victim said, “I want to thank the judiciary and everyone who supported me. I have faced a very tough time, but today I am very happy.” She also stated that Bajinder is a “psycho” and could commit such crimes again if released. She urged the DGP to ensure her and other victims’ safety, fearing threats of attacks.
Meanwhile, Bajinder’s supporters staged large-scale protests, claiming that the victim made false statements. Recently, two other women also accused Bajinder of sexual exploitation and sought help from the Akal Takht. This case has raised concerns about the influence of self-styled religious leaders and their actions in Punjab.
