Pastor Bajinder Singh, a self-styled preacher with a massive following on social media, is the spotlight for serious allegations of sexual harassment. A 22-year-old woman has accused him of inappropriate behaviour, leading to a police case against him. While Singh has strongly denied the charges, calling them baseless, his past legal troubles and controversial rise to fame have sparked renewed scrutiny of his ministry. With a history of criminal cases, financial investigations, and claims of miraculous healings, the pastor’s journey from a prison inmate to a widely followed religious leader is as contentious as it is intriguing.

The allegations 

The young woman claims that he not only harassed her but also pressured her to marry him, despite being already married. She says he stalked her and even threatened to harm her family if she spoke out. According to her, this wasn’t just a one-time incident—it was years of intimidation, harassment, and emotional trauma.

On February 23, Punjab Police registered a case against Singh under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation. The complaint was originally filed on February 20, and the investigation is now in full swing.

Singh, however, denies all allegations. In a press conference on March 2, he called the claims “false” and “baseless,” dismissing the evidence presented against him. He even went as far as saying, “Our job is to pray for her,” referring to the complainant as his “daughter.”

Bajinder Singh’s side of the story

The pastor insists that the allegations are nothing but a conspiracy against him. According to him, the woman had been struggling with an “evil spirit” and would experience fits, which is why she had been seeking prayers from him. “The entire church knew she suffered from fits and had an evil spirit,” he claimed.

But the survivor has outright rejected this version, standing by her statements that Singh used his influence to take advantage of her.

Who is Bajinder Singh?

Before becoming a self-proclaimed pastor, Bajinder Singh had a troubled past. Born into a Jat Sikh family on September 10, 1982, his journey to Christianity wasn’t exactly conventional. In 2008, he was imprisoned in connection with a murder case. It was in jail that he met a Christian pastor, which eventually led to his conversion.

By 2016, he had set up his first church in Chandigarh, followed by another in Tajpur, Jalandhar. His ministry has since expanded across India and even internationally. However, many of his followers reportedly avoid official religious conversion due to fear of losing government benefits.

Controversies

This isn’t the first time he has had a brush with the law. Back in 2018, he was arrested in Zirakpur on charges of raping a woman. Though he was granted bail later that year, the case is still pending.

His ministry has also been under scrutiny for financial irregularities. In January 2023, the Income Tax Department raided his properties in Jalandhar and Mohali as part of an investigation into suspected fraud. Reports suggest that his organisation, Prophet Bajinder Singh Ministry, has been collecting large sums of money by promising miraculous healings.

In addition, Singh has been accused of promoting religious discord. In 2014, he was booked under Section 295A of the IPC in Karnal. His criminal record also includes assault and intimidation charges dating back to 2006 in Haryana.

Growing influence

Despite his legal troubles, Singh continues to enjoy a massive following. His church attracts thousands of people, particularly from lower-income backgrounds. Many of them believe in his claims of miraculous healing and prophetic abilities.

He is known for claiming to have the ability to heal illnesses through prayer, anointed oils, and holy water. He also boasts of being able to predict the future, further bolstering his appeal among those facing personal, social, or financial difficulties.

His social media presence is also huge, with over a million followers on Instagram and an active presence on Facebook and YouTube. His videos, though often seen as bizarre by critics, are celebrated by his supporters as extraordinary.

Singh’s ministry operates as an NGO and has gained traction among celebrities and politicians. In 2021, his organisation reportedly acquired a piece of land in Mohali for Rs 4.3 crore—at a price much higher than the market rate—raising questions about financial transparency.

(Agency inputs)