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Self-Styled 'Prophet' Bajinder Singh Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Rape in Punjab


April 1, 2025 | Mohali, Punjab

Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed pastor and controversial religious leader, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court in Punjab’s Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar district on Tuesday in a rape and sexual harassment case dating back to 2018.

The additional sessions court in Mohali found Singh, 42, guilty under Section 376(2)(n) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for repeated rape of the same woman. The court ordered that he serve imprisonment for the “remainder part of his life.” While Singh was convicted last week, five other accused in the case were acquitted.

Case Background

The case against Bajinder Singh originated from a complaint filed by a woman who alleged that he established a physical relationship with her in September 2017 without her consent. She further stated that she was drugged, and obscene videos of her were recorded to be used for blackmail. She was allegedly raped multiple times from 2017 onwards, and Singh later demanded a large sum of money, threatening to expose the videos.

In April 2018, an FIR was registered against Singh at the Zirakpur police station under sections 376 (rape), 323 (causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), and other provisions of the IPC.

A History of Controversies

Bajinder Singh is the founder of the Glory and Wisdom Church, operating in Tajpur (Jalandhar) and Majri (Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar). He has built a reputation for offering so-called "miracle services" and claims to heal ailments and solve personal problems through his preaching. His methods and claims have frequently drawn criticism.

Apart from the 2018 rape case, Singh has been embroiled in other legal troubles. In 2022, a Delhi-based family accused him of fraud, alleging that he took money from them with promises of curing their ailing daughter, who later passed away.

More recently, on February 28, 2025, Punjab Police booked Singh in Kapurthala for sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation following a complaint from a 21-year-old woman. The complainant, a former volunteer at Singh’s ministry, claimed to have spent six years there before facing harassment.

A Landmark Verdict

With his conviction and sentencing, the case marks a significant step against the misuse of religious influence in cases of sexual abuse. While Singh has denied the allegations, his conviction has been welcomed by activists and legal experts as a move toward justice for survivors of abuse by influential figures.

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