Heinous offence: Pastor Bajinder given life imprisonment for rape

A Mohali court on Tuesday sentenced pastor Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment till death in a 2018 rape case, observing that he committed a heinous offence by misusing his position. A fine of Rs 1 lakh has also been imposed on him, The 42-year-old was later taken to Patiala jail.

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Additional district and sessions judge Vikrant Kumar pronounced the verdict after Singh -- often referred to as “Yeshu Yeshu prophet” -- was found guilty on March 28.

While Singh was convicted under Sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntary causing hurt) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC, the court acquitted five others -- Akhbar Bhatti, Rajesh Chaudhary, Jatinder Kumar, Sitar Ali and Sandeep Pehlwan.

The case was registered at Zirakpur police station on April 20, 2018, based on a complaint by a 23-year-old woman who accused him of raping her under the pretext of sending her abroad.

Singh’s counsel HS Dhanoa said they would challenge the punishment in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Victim’s counsel Anil Kumar Sagar said, “The court has pronounced an exemplary verdict as any lackadaisical approach in such cases instils confidence in the perpetrators who either assert their social position or act under the garb of religion to exploit the poor and the vulnerable.” The survivor welcomed the court verdict, saying she got justice after seven years. She also claimed that money was offered to her to enter into a compromise.

Before the verdict, Singh pleaded for leniency, citing his ailing wife, two children and a rod implanted in his leg. He also said he was the sole breadwinner of the family and hence a lenient view be taken in the case.

Since morning, several followers of the pastor, along with members of social and religious organisations, had gathered outside the court. Tight security arrangements were in place at the court complex before the verdict as Singh was brought under heavy security cover from a Mansa jail.

Separately, Singh faces another ongoing sexual assault case involving a follower from Kapurthala.