Self-proclaimed Christian preacher Pastor Bajinder Singh on Tuesday has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Punjab’s Mohali district in connection with a 2018 rape case.
Conviction Details
Bajinder Singh was found guilty under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376 (rape), Section 323 (punishment for voluntary causing hurt), and Section 506 (criminal intimidation). The court’s verdict marks a significant development in a case that drew considerable public attention.
Acquittal Of Co-Accused
In contrast to Bajinder Singh’s conviction, five other individuals accused in the case—Akhbar Bhatti, Rajesh Chaudhary, Jatinder Kumar, Sitar Ali, and Sandeep Pehlwan—were acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them to the crime.
Case Background
Pastor Bajinder Singh, who founded the Church of Glory and Wisdom, was apprehended by police at Delhi Airport in 2018 while attempting to board a flight to London. The rape and sexual harassment case was filed by a woman in Zirakpur, SAS Nagar (Mohali district), Punjab.
According to the victim’s complaint, she had met Bajinder Singh in 2016 during prayer meetings, after which he reportedly obtained her contact details. The First Information Report (FIR) against him was registered on April 20, 2018, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act, 2000.
Legal Proceedings
While the District Court rejected the bail applications of the accused, Bajinder Singh and the other co-accused managed to secure bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Despite this, the recent verdict has brought a decisive end to the legal battle that spanned several years.
With the sentencing, legal experts believe that the case will serve as a critical reminder of the importance of justice in sexual violence cases, regardless of the accused’s social or religious standing. The judgment also underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding the law impartially.
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