Sexual harassment case against self-styled Christian prophet Bajinder Singh

The woman alleged that while she was working with Bajinder Singh, he touched her inappropriately and made unwanted advances towards her since she was 17.

In Short

• Charges include sexual harassment, stalking, criminal intimidation
• Woman alleges unwanted advances by Bajinder Singh for last 5 years
• Singh threatened he would harm woman's family if she told anyone

A case has been registered against self-proclaimed Christian prophet Bajinder Singh for alleged sexual harassment, stalking, and criminal intimidation after a complaint filed by a 22-year-old woman in Punjab's Kapurthala, police said on Sunday. However, the pastor has denied the allegations, claiming that another pastor plotted a "scandal" against him.

In her complaint, the woman alleged that she started working with Bajinder Singh when she was 17, and since then, he has made unwanted advances towards her. He inappropriately touched her, pressured her to marry him even when she was already married, stalked her, and threatened to harm her family if she spoke about it to anyone, she alleged.

According to the woman, her parents took her to Baljinder Singh's 'Church of Glory and Wisdom' in 2017. She alleged he took her phone number and started sending lewd messages to her. "I got scared and did not tell my parents about it," the woman alleged in her complaint.

She further claimed that Bajinder Singh made her sit alone in his cabin at the church every Sunday in 2022. He used to touch her inappropriately and asked her to marry him, and stalked her on her way to college, she said.

She said she experienced panic attacks and harassment for years, even during her marriage and pregnancy. She also accused eight others of issuing threats.

The complaint was filed on February 20, based on which, a case was registered on February 23, under sections 354-A (sexual harassment), 354-D (stalking) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

BAJINDER SINGH REFUTES CHARGE

Baljinder Singh held a press conference on Sunday, refuting allegations made against him. He alleged that another pastor plotted a "scandal" against him.

"He has been making false comments against me for the past five years. He made a channel, which has not even been registered, and made false statements about me there," Baljinder Singh said.

According to Baljinder, he had earlier registered a case against the pastor's son, who he said is a fugitive. The case against him by the woman is in response to that, he alleged.

"I registered a complaint on February 16, and on February 20, the pastor lodged a complaint in the police station against me," Baljinder said.

Bajinder Singh is a popular internet personality, known for his Christian satsangs in Punjab, clips of which often go viral on social media. He claims that he frees people from addiction and teaches them to follow the right path.