Indian Evangelical Christian Preacher Bajinder Singh Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Rape
- Victor Nwoko
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
An Indian court has sentenced self-styled Christian preacher Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment for the rape of a woman in 2018. Singh, 42, known for his claims of miracle healing and for leading one of Punjab’s largest evangelical churches, was found guilty of rape, criminal intimidation, and voluntarily causing hurt.
The conviction stems from an incident in which Singh assaulted a woman at his residence in Mohali, Punjab, after luring her with a false promise of facilitating her relocation abroad. The survivor, who worked as domestic help, alleged that Singh recorded the act and used the footage to blackmail her into silence. She later filed a police complaint at the Zirakpur station, triggering the legal proceedings.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Vikrant Kumar ruled that Singh must remain in prison for the “remainder of his natural life” and ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 100,000. In the same case, five of Singh’s co-accused were acquitted, while a sixth individual died during the trial.
Singh was arrested in July 2018 at Delhi airport as he attempted to flee to London. During the sentencing phase, his defense appealed for leniency, citing his responsibilities toward his three children and his wife, who is reportedly suffering from a spinal condition. His counsel described Singh as “a preacher of Christianity” who had contributed to society through “social services and religious work.”
The court, however, rejected the plea, emphasizing that Singh had “misused his position as a preacher” to commit a “heinous crime.” Judge Kumar stated that Singh’s actions had inflicted lasting trauma on the survivor and posed a grave threat to social trust. “A rapist not only causes physical injuries but also leaves an indelible scar on the most cherished possession of a girl, that is, her dignity, honour, reputation, and not least her chastity,” the court noted. “In such circumstances, every perpetrator of rape should be punished expeditiously, severely and strictly"
The survivor expressed relief at the outcome, stating that she and her family had faced intimidation and threats since filing the complaint. “Many false allegations were levelled against me and my family after I exposed the pastor. He made our lives difficult,” she said.
Her lawyer, Anil Sagar, praised the verdict, calling it “an exemplary punishment” and a critical step in holding powerful figures accountable. “Any leniency in such cases where people use their social position to rape poor and weak people increases the confidence of predators,” he said.
Singh’s defense team has not released an official response to the ruling but is expected to file an appeal in a higher court.
Singh rose to prominence with fiery sermons and televised healing sessions that drew thousands of followers both in India and abroad. His Church of Glory and Wisdom claims branches in the UK, US, and Canada, and boasts a significant following, including Bollywood celebrities. His YouTube channel, Prophet Bajinder Singh, has around 3.7 million subscribers and frequently features dramatic healing claims during prayer sessions.
However, Singh’s religious career has long been entangled with controversy. In addition to the 2018 rape conviction, he has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. In February, two more women came forward with complaints of sexual harassment and assault. One woman alleged she was assaulted following a prayer session. Singh has denied all accusations.
His churches have also drawn attention from authorities for financial irregularities. In January of the previous year, several branches were investigated by the income tax department.
Singh was born in Haryana into a Hindu family and later converted to Christianity while serving time in prison roughly 15 years ago. Though he has not publicly addressed the matter in detail, he was reportedly incarcerated in a murder case. On his website, Singh claims he was influenced by “evil forces” and turned to religion after discovering the Bible during incarceration.
Despite his conviction, Singh maintains a loyal support base, many of whom dismiss the charges as conspiracies by rival pastors. Singh and his supporters have often portrayed his legal troubles as smear campaigns intended to damage his ministry and influence.
With the court’s ruling, Singh becomes one of the few high-profile religious figures in India to be sentenced to life imprisonment for sexual assault. The case is expected to have broader implications for holding religious leaders accountable for criminal actions.
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