'Yeshu Yeshu' Punjab pastor Bajinder Singh gets life term in 2018 case: 'Promised to take her abroad, then raped'

Pastor Bajinder Singh

A local court in Mohali district of Punjab on Tuesday sentenced controversial self-styled pastor Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment in a 2018 rape case.

Five other accused in the case - Akhbar Bhatti, Rajesh Chaudhary, Jatinder Kumar, Sitar Ali and Sandeep Pehlwan - were acquitted. Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Vikrant Kumar pronounced the verdict.

Bajinder was pronounced guilty on March 28 under sections 376 (rape), 323 (punishment for voluntary causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

The case was registered on a complaint filed by a woman at the Zirakpur police station in Mohali in 2018. The complainant had alleged that Singh lured her by promising to take her abroad. He raped her at his residence in Sector 63 in Mohali and made a video of it. She had alleged that the accused had threatened to post the video on social media if she did not agree to his demands.

Tight security arrangements were made at the court complex before the pronouncement of the verdict on Tuesday.

In a recent controversy, a CCTV video surfaced online in February showing Singh arguing with a woman, throwing papers at her, and then slapping her. He is also seen allegedly assaulting another man in the video. Based on this, police had booked him for assault.

Pastor Singh gained prominence in 2012 as a Christian preacher. He founded two churches — ‘The Church of Glory and Wisdom’ in Tajpur, Jalandhar, and another in Majri, Mohali. His sermons attract thousands, with followers believing in his healing powers. His church services are broadcast live on YouTube through his channel, ‘Prophet Bajinder Singh,’ which has 3.74 million subscribers.

(With inputs from agencies)