Harpreet Singh Kohli: creating initial bio initial version

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creating initial bio initial version

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{{Short description|Indian Christian pastor}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Bajinder Singh
| image = Pastor_Bajinder_Singh.jpg
| caption = Bajinder Singh preaching at his church
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|9|10|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Yamunanagar]], [[Haryana]], India
| criminal_charge = [[Rape]]<ref name="jail"/>
| criminal_penalty = [[Life imprisonment]] under [[Indian penal code|IPC]] sections 376 (rape), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation)<ref name="fraud">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/badnaam-hue-to-kia-hua-naam-to-hai-rape-convict-pastor-bajinder-singh-converted-to-christianity-during-jail-term-in-murder-case/articleshow/119892881.cms|title="Badnaam hue to kia hua, naam to hai": Rape convict pastor Bajinder Singh converted to Christianity during jail term in murder case|publisher=[[The Times of India]]|author=TOI service desk|date=2 April 2025}}</ref>
| conviction_status = Incarcerated
| imprisoned = Central Jail, Patiala<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pentecostal-pastor-bajinder-singh-to-spend-life-in-prison-for-rape/articleshow/119884872.cms|title=Pentecostal pastor Bajinder Singh to spend life in prison for rape|work=[[The Times of India]]|author=Barinderjit Saluja|date=2 April 2025}}</ref>
| website = [https://prophetbajindersinghministry.com/ Official website]
| organization = Church of Glory and Wisdom
| victims = 1 (unnamed woman)
}}
'''Bajinder Singh''' (born 10 September 1982) is an Indian [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] Christian [[pastor]] and a convicted rapist.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastor Bajinder embraced Christianity while in jail in murder case |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/bajinder-embraced-christianity-while-in-jail-in-murder-case-475418 |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vasudeva |first=Vikas |date=2025-04-01 |title=Pastor Bajinder Singh sentenced to life for repeated rape in Punjab |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/punjab/controversial-preacher-bajinder-singh-sentenced-to-life-for-repeated-rape/article69399299.ece |access-date=2025-09-07 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Nitin |date=28 March 2025 |title=Bajinder, self-proclaimed pastor, convicted in 2018 rape case, sentencing on April 1 |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/bajinder-convicted-in-2018-rape-case-sentencing-on-april-1-prophet-2025-03-28-982778 |access-date=28 March 2025 |website=India TV News |language=en}}</ref> He gained popularity for his claimed miracle healings and for attracting a considerable following through his ministry, the Church of Glory and Wisdom.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Surinder |date=2025-04-25 |title=India Celebrity Pastor Faces Life in Prison for Rape |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/04/india-punjab-megachurch-bajinder-singh-healing-rape/ |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=Christianity Today |language=en-US}}</ref>

His ministry operates several branches in [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] and other locations, and he is known for holding large prayer meetings that are often accompanied by public performances.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-01 |title=Bajinder Singh: Christian preacher in India gets life in jail for raping woman |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgq3760q12o |access-date=2025-09-07 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> He was sentenced to life imprisonment on 1 April 2025.

== Background ==
Baljinder was born in [[Yamunanagar]], [[Haryana]] , into a Hindu family and holds a degree in mechanical engineering.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sethi |first=Chitleen K. |date=11 January 2022 |title=Cure cancer, undo death: Punjab's Christian 'prophet, pastors' offer miracles, compete with deras |url=https://theprint.in/india/cure-cancer-undo-death-punjabs-christian-prophet-pastors-offer-miracles-compete-with-deras/793074/ |access-date=27 July 2025 |work=The Tribune |quote=Bajinder Singh has revealed little about himself on his social media accounts, but according to a Punjab Police intelligence report, he comes from a Hindu Jat family from Yamunanagar, Haryana, and has a degree in mechanical engineering.}}</ref> He was jailed for murder during the early 2000s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How did Bajinder Singh, who was once jailed for murder case, become hugely popular Christian religious leader? |url=https://www.india.com/viral/how-did-bajinder-who-was-once-jailed-for-murder-case-become-hugely-popular-christian-religious-leader-7495974/ |access-date=28 December 2024 |website=www.india.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=19 July 2018 |title=A self-styled faith healer held for raping Zirakpur woman |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/priest-from-punjab-arrested-in-delhi-after-rape-complaint/story-N8bfCMrxfnXLydTGY2zfuO.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923172306/https://www.hindustantimes.com/punjab/priest-from-punjab-arrested-in-delhi-after-rape-complaint/story-N8bfCMrxfnXLydTGY2zfuO.html |archive-date=23 September 2024 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref>

After his release, he began conducting prayer meetings in 2012. His ministry claims to offer miraculous healings and solutions to various health ailments.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sethi |first=Chitleen K. |date=11 January 2022 |title=Cure cancer, undo death: Punjab's Christian 'prophet, pastors' offer miracles, compete with deras |url=https://theprint.in/india/cure-cancer-undo-death-punjabs-christian-prophet-pastors-offer-miracles-compete-with-deras/793074/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Early incidents ==

* In 2006, Singh was reported to have been charged with assault and [[intimidation]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Sandhu |first=Kamaljit Kaur |date=2025-03-03 |title=Controversies, cases, viral clips: All about self-styled Punjab pastor Bajinder Singh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pastor-bajinder-singh-punjab-church-of-glory-and-wisdom-sexual-harassment-case-network-2688454-2025-03-03 |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

* In 2014, he faced charges under [[Section 295A of the Indian Penal Code]] in [[Karnal]] for allegedly inciting religious tension.<ref name=":1" />

== Controversy ==
In 2018, he was arrested in connection with a rape case involving a woman from [[Zirakpur]], [[Punjab]].<ref name=":0" /> It was alleged that he sexually assaulted the victim under the pretext of offering her travel opportunities abroad. Various families have also accused him of exploiting vulnerable members of the community through financial fraud, including demanding large sums of money for healing services that alleged did not produce results.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pastors amassed huge wealth in 4 years, links with cops under lens |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/pastors-amassed-huge-wealth-in-4-years-links-with-cops-under-lens-475417/ |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>

Bajinder was arrested by Punjab police on accusations of rape and sexual abuse by a woman who attended the church.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 2025 |title=Case against 'yeshu yeshu' pastor Bajinder for sex harassment, mental torture,rape |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/case-against-yeshu-yeshu-pastor-bajinder-for-sex-harassment-mental-torture-101741328134486-amp.html |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=Hindustan Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kissu |first=Sagrika |date=6 March 2025 |title=Pastor Bajinder Singh is Baba Ram Rahim of Punjab Christians. Now, 'Papa' is in trouble |url=https://theprint.in/ground-reports/pastor-bajinder-singh-is-baba-ram-rahim-of-punjab-christians-now-papa-is-in-trouble/2536352/ |access-date=8 April 2025 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2025, at the same time as the sexual abuse case, a video went viral showing Bajinder assaulting a man and a woman in his office.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fir-punjab-pastor-bajinder-thrashes-man-and-woman-viral-video-2698984-2025-03-25 | title=Another case against 'Yashu Yashu' pastor, this time over thrashing man, woman | date=25 March 2025 }}</ref> On 28 March 2025, he was found guilty in the 2018 rape case by a local court in [[Mohali|Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar]], and sentenced to life imprisonment.<ref name="jail">{{Cite web |title='Yeshu Yeshu Prophet' Bajinder Singh Found Guilty In 2018 Rape Case |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/yeshu-yeshu-prophet-bajinder-singh-found-guilty-in-2018-sexual-harassment-case-news-agency-ani-8031473 |access-date=29 March 2025 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 March 2025 |title=Pastor Bajinder Singh found guilty in 2018 sexual harassment case |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pastor-bajinder-singh-found-guilty-in-2018-sexual-harassment-case-101743155745191.html }}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian preacher in India gets life in jail for raping woman |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgq3760q12o |access-date=1 April 2025 |website=www.bbc.com |date=April 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Investigations ===

==== 2023 ====
Between 31 January and 1 February 2023, the [[Income Tax Department]] carried out simultaneous raids on about 50 officials in different cities including [[Jalandhar]], [[Kapurthala]], [[Amritsar]], [[New Chandigarh]], [[Mohali]], and [[Kurali]], and on the premises of some churches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rs 2 crore seized in raids on pastors Bajinder Singh, Harpreet Deol in Punjab |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/rs-2-cr-seized-in-raids-on-pastors-475721/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=I-T dept raids premises linked to 2 Punjab pastors |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jalandhar/it-raids-premises-two-pastors-punjab-8415415/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The 16-hour raids are stated to have led to the seizure of approximately ₹2 crore in un Accounted money and documentation concerning properties, assets, foreign donations, application of donations, and establishment of overseas centres in cities including [[Dubai]] and [[Mauritius]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-01 |title=I-T dept raids premises linked to 2 Punjab pastors |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jalandhar/it-raids-premises-two-pastors-punjab-8415415/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==== 2025 ====
In August 2025, Singh, lodged in a life sentence on the earlier encounter, was produced before [[Bharatpur, Rajasthan|Bharatpur]] under a production warrant. He was involved in an investigation related to a racket of [[religious conversion]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-24 |title=Pastor brought to Bharatpur from Punjab jail for probe into alleged religious conversion racket |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/pastor-brought-to-bharatpur-from-punjab-jail-for-probe-into-alleged-religious-conversion-racket/articleshow/123477321.cms? |access-date=2025-09-28 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> He was probed for the mass conversion in February 2024 held at Sonar Haveli in Atal Bandh, Bharatpur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharatpur : धर्मांतरण मामले के मास्टरमाइंड प्रोफेट बजिंदर सिंह पंजाब के मानसा जेल से गिरफ्तार, कोर्ट ने 15 दिन के लिए भेजा जेल |url=https://www.patrika.com/bharatpur-news/prophet-bajinder-singh-mansa-jail-in-punjab-arrested-on-production-warrant-in-conversion-case-court-sent-him-to-sever-jail-bharatpur-for-15-days-19888769 |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=Patrika News |language=hi}}</ref> The incident was a case of vulnerable persons being hired guaranteed, children and women, also sickly young men, with promises of food, drinks & money gift.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Funding worth crores was coming from abroad, Prophet Bajinder Singh was brought from Punjab to Rajasthan in the conversion case |url=https://rajasthan.ndtv.in/crime/rajasthan-conversion-prophet-bajinder-singh-brought-from-punjab-court-sent-him-to-15-days-judicial-custody-9146071 |website=NDTV}}</ref> Images of politicians were displayed on large television screens and audio players played videos of them, while audience members were invited to step on pictures of [[Hindu deities]], according to reports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-26 |title=Already in Mansa jail for rape, pastor now faces probe in Bharatpur conversion case |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/mansa-jail-rape-pastor-probe-bharatpur-conversion-case-10211763/ |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

Religious literature was seized from the premises and 3 individuals were detained as part of the investigation. Officials also uncovered money transactions associated with his accounts, including international funds that had allegedly been siphoned off. He was presented in Bharatpur court on August 23, 2025, and remanded to 15 days [[Detention (confinement)|judicial custody]] at Sewar Prison. The next day [[Rajasthan Police]] handed him back to the Mansa Prison.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-25 |title=धर्म परिवर्तन कराने वाले पादरी को मनसा जेल भेजा: 1 दिन भरतपुर की सेवर जेल में रहा, पुलिस प्रोडक्शन वारंट पर गिरफ्तार कर लाई थी - Bharatpur News |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/bharatpur/news/prophet-bajinder-singh-spent-1-day-in-sewar-jailbharatpurchandigadhmansa-jailprofet-bajinder-singhdharmantaranatal-band-police-station-135759328.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250831110638/https://www.bhaskar.com/local/rajasthan/bharatpur/news/prophet-bajinder-singh-spent-1-day-in-sewar-jailbharatpurchandigadhmansa-jailprofet-bajinder-singhdharmantaranatal-band-police-station-135759328.html |archive-date=2025-08-31 |access-date=2025-09-28 |work=Dainik Bhaskar |language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=रेप के आरोपी धर्मांतरण गैंग के सरगना पादरी को राजस्थान पुलिस ने चंडीगढ़ जेल से किया गिरफ्तार, जानें वजह, |url=https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/state/rajasthan/bharatpur/bharatpur-conversion-case-prophet-bajinder-sent-to-sevar-jail-for-15-days/articleshow/123474810.cms |access-date=2025-09-28 |website=Navbharat Times |language=hi}}</ref>

== Influence ==
Bajinder has gained influence in Punjab through his engagement with celebrities and politicians.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 February 2023 |title=Call of faith: Promising pull of Punjabi pastors |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/call-of-faith-promising-pull-of-punjabi-pastors-101676746862341.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240121182014/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/call-of-faith-promising-pull-of-punjabi-pastors-101676746862341.html |archive-date=21 January 2024 |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }}</ref> He invites celebrities from the entertainment industry and local politicians to participate in his church prayer meetings and functions, which often leads to increased attendance and awareness.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 January 2024 |title=Pastor makes rival villain with GulshanGrover over star-lit Christmas parties |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/pastor-makes-rival-villain-with-gulshan-grover-over-star-lit-christmas-parties/articleshow/106430680.cms |access-date=27 December 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Many people have publicly supported his events which has led to allegations of promoting celebrities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tajpur's star studded Christmas event triggers controversy |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/jalandhar/tajpurs-star-studded-christmas-event-triggers-controversy-577471/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-31 |title=Amid hustle-bustle, BJP quietly reaches out to 'miracle performing' pastors |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-lok-sabha-elections-bjp-miracle-performing-pastors-9362910/ |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Chunky Panday, Aditya Pancholi and Sunil Pal Trolled For Attending Pastor Bajinder Singh's Event |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/chunky-panday-aditya-pancholi-and-sunil-pal-trolled-for-attending-pastor-bajinder-event-9057840.html |access-date=2024-12-27 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Bajinder}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by India]]
[[Category:Faith healers]]
[[Category:Indian Christian religious leaders]]
[[Category:Indian people convicted of rape]]
[[Category:People from Yamunanagar district]]
[[Category:Converts to Christianity from Hinduism]]
[[Category:People from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Indian former Hindus]]
[[Category:Indian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment]]
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of India]]
[[Category:Indian rapists]]

Bajinder Singh - Revision history

Harpreet Singh Kohli: creating initial bio initial version