Pastors amassed huge wealth in 4 years, links with cops under lens

Ruchika M Khanna

Chandigarh, January 31

The phenomenal rise of ‘pastor’ Bajinder Singh, head of Prophet Bajinder Singh Ministry, and Pastor Avtar Singh, president of the Church of Glory and Wisdom, was not going unnoticed by the state government. Complaints about the “financial dealings” of the pastors were also made to the Chief Minister some time ago.

According to a complaint, a copy of which is with The Tribune, such was the amount of money coming to the pastors they were buying luxury cars. Interestingly, the complaint also said Bajinder Singh had gifted a luxury SUV to Avtar Singh. The car, according to this complaint, was in the name of Avtar’s wife.

The complaint, made by a Kharar resident, also gives a brief summary of the religious conversions in the border districts, especially from poor families that fall prey to allurements.

This complaint also mentions how the two pastors worked together, alleging that Avtar Singh arranged meetings of donors with Bajinder. It is also alleged that they were involved in purchasing large tracts of land and their land dealings should be looked into. The IT sleuths, who raided the premises of the two pastors today, will now be looking into this aspect.

Information gathered by The Tribune shows that Avtar Singh is a government schoolteacher, posted at Neshta village, Attari, in Amritsar. He is the president of the Church of Glory and Wisdom, Rajgarh village, Mohali. On the other hand, Bajinder Singh has opened several churches under the name of the Church of Glory and Wisdom. His “proximity” to some senior police officers is also under the scanner amid speculation that the ill-gotten wealth of some officers was being regularly parked with him. Interestingly, they also enjoyed the Punjab Police security cover.

Interestingly, the IT returns of Bajinder Singh Ministry show how his income has increased manifold in the past few years. From Rs 41,120 for the assessment year 2017-18, his income rose to Rs 1,03,230 in 2018-19 assessment year and to Rs 1,23,889 in assessment year 2019-20.

Interestingly, during the assessment year 2020-21, the ministry had a Members’ Capital of Rs 1,95,082,52, secured loans of Rs 10,73,034, unsecured loans of Rs 34.33 lakh and gross fixed assets worth Rs 2,85,63,575.

‘Pastor’ Bajinder Singh’s income rose manifold

• Rs 41,120 for the assessment year 2017-18
• Rs 1,03,230 in 2018-19 & Rs 1,23,889 in 2019-20
• Rs 1,95,082,52, secured loans of Rs 10,73,034, unsecured loans of Rs 34.33 lakh and gross fixed assets worth Rs 2,85,63,575 in 2020-21

Avtar Singh a govt teacher

• Avtar Singh is a govt teacher at Neshta village in Amritsar
• He is a chief of the Church of Glory and Wisdom, Rajgarh village, Mohali