2018 Rape Case: Punjab Court Helds ‘Yeshu Yeshu Pastor’ Bajinder Singh Guilty

In a significant development, the POCSO Court in Mohali has found Pastor Bajinder Singh, a controversial Christian preacher, guilty of offences under the POCSO Act in a sexual harassment case dating back to 2018.

While 5 accused were acquitted due to lack of evidence, Bajinder and another accused have been found guilty, with the court set to pronounce judgment on April 1, 2025.

Case Background

Bajinder Singh, the founder of the Church of Glory and Wisdom, was arrested by the police in 2018 at Delhi Airport while attempting to board a flight to London. The sexual harassment and rape case against him was filed by a woman in Zirakpur, SAS Nagar (Mohali) district of Punjab. According to the complaint, the victim came into contact with Bajinder in 2016 during prayer meetings, where he took her contact information.

Allegations Against Bajinder

The complaint alleges that Bajinder called the victim to meet at a dhaba in September 2017, asking her to bring her passport. He then took her to a house in Chandigarh, where he developed a physical relationship with her without her consent, under the pretext of taking her abroad. Bajinder allegedly repeated this behavior multiple times, spiking her tea and forcing physical relations while she was unconscious. He also made an obscene video of her and demanded lakhs of rupees for taking her abroad, threatening to make the video viral if she didn’t comply.

Investigation & Trial

The FIR against Bajinder was filed on April 20, 2018, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act, 2000. While the District Court rejected the bail applications of the accused, Bajinder and others secured bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The sentencing in the case is now scheduled to be announced on April 1, 2025.

POCSO Act & Its Implications

The POCSO Act, 2012, is a landmark legislation aimed at protecting children from sexual offenses. The Act provides for stringent punishment for offenders and emphasizes the need for a child-friendly justice system. In recent years, there have been several landmark judgments under the POCSO Act, highlighting the importance of protecting children from sexual exploitation.