Followers claim conspiracy as Punjab pastor faces sexual harassment probe

Kapurthala: The Kapurthala police on Monday constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and stalking against pastor Bajinder Singh.

The case was registered based on a complaint by a 22-year-old woman, leading to an FIR on February 28 under Sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

SIT formed for detailed investigation

Kapurthala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora stated that a three-member SIT has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation. The team will work under the supervision of Phagwara Superintendent of Police (SP) Rupinder Kaur Bhatti. Other members of the SIT include a DSP-level officer and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kapurthala City Police Station.

Complainant's allegations

According to the complaint filed on February 20, the woman alleged that the pastor had sent inappropriate messages and touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions since 2020. She claimed that she and her parents had been visiting the Church of Glory and Wisdom since 2017, and she was part of the preacher’s worship team from 2020 to 2022. During this time, she alleged that the pastor took her phone number and began contacting her.

“While talking to me over the phone, the accused used to have unwanted and vulgar conversations to which I always objected,” the woman stated in her complaint.

She further alleged, “In 2022, I attended his congregations on Sunday, where he used to touch me inappropriately when I was alone in his cabin.” The complainant also accused the pastor of following her while she was on her way to college.

She claimed that the accused threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the incidents to anyone.

Supporters call for protest

Following the registration of the FIR, Bajinder Singh’s supporters have called for a Jalandhar bandh on March 12 in protest.

Avtar Singh, head of the Church of Glory and Wisdom at Tajpur village, dismissed the allegations, stating, “The FIR has been registered on the basis of a frivolous complaint filed by a woman, who has not visited the church once after 2022.”

PTI