Victim in pastor Bajinder Singh rape case says she was forced to relocate frequently, faced 3 cases while suing him

Pastor Singh’s church, with its catchy slogans and advertisements, had already become a place of worship for those in distress. Thousands flocked to it every week, hoping for divine intervention and drawn by the “miraculous healing services” offered by Singh.

As the woman became increasingly involved with the church, things took a turn for the worse. Talking to The Indian Express, she said, “Within a few days after I began attending the church, I was offered to head a proposed branch in the UK, and I also started handling the stage of religious congregations at the Mohali church.” She added that it was all a trap until he abused her, recorded the act and used it to exploit her for months. “I decided to take action against him because I didn’t want to get exploited anymore in fear of the video he possessed,” she said.

The woman’s advocates Anil K Sagar and Sumit Sawhney said they faced several challenges during the course of the high-profile case, but refused to let it get buried under the weight of money and influence. “After filing the First Information Report (FIR) against the pastor, what followed was a gruelling seven-year legal fight that took a heavy toll on her. Throughout these years, she faced not only the emotional aftermath of the assault but also constant threats, intimidation, and harassment,” Sagar said.

“The threats never stopped her. The constant pressure of money and politics weighed heavily on her. Pastor Singh thought he could buy everyone off, but not everyone could be bought,” Sawhney added.

The woman said the church, with its vast resources and influence, used all means at its disposal to silence her. “I was subjected to pressure from all sides—financial offers, fabricated criminal cases, and relentless threats. My husband and I were booked in three cases but they were all found to be fabricated. I was even offered a bribe of Rs 5 crore to drop the case. Despite the determination of my lawyers and other people supporting me, the church’s powerful political and financial connections made it difficult for me to find peace, but ultimately I got justice,” she said.

“I was followed by the pastor’s goons and took police protection after his bouncers beat me up once. But I was determined,” the woman added.

A Jat from Haryana, pastor Bajinder Singh is not new to controversies. He was previously convicted and jailed in a murder case, a sexual assault case was lodged against him in February this year, while another case was filed recently after he allegedly slapped a woman in his Mohali office. In 2022, a Delhi family accused him of taking money to treat their daughter, who eventually died of cancer. In 2023, the Income Tax Department raided his church and took away several documents.

Singh was drawn to Christianity during his jail term in the murder case when he got acquainted with a pastor. He converted to Christianity over a decade ago, and after his release from prison, he became a preacher in 2012 and set up his church in Mohali and then Jalandhar.

The church is known for its day-long congregations, mainly held on Sundays and Thursdays, for which thousands turn up. Public testimonies of miraculous healings and experiences from the devotees are a key part of such gatherings. Volunteers say the church’s income comes from donations and through the sale of products such as oils, soaps, and ‘healing water’.

“The purpose of these testimonies is to convince the people of his power to perform miracles,” said a volunteer associated with the church.

Church officials revealed that Glory and Wisdom Church has transformed into a sprawling empire over the years, with 260 branches worldwide, helping Singh rise in wealth and influence. The pastor is also known for his links in the entertainment industry, often sharing photos and video clips in which prominent actors are heard saying that attending his congregations brought them good fortune.

However, the ‘miraculous’ services did not come for free. Pastor Singh and his team allegedly had a unique model: charging vast sums for spiritual intervention. A simple prayer session or a healing consultation could cost anywhere between Rs 25,000 to several lakh rupees, sources said. The most exclusive sessions, known as “healing sabhas”, charged hefty rates, amounting to lakhs, especially from people settled abroad.

“Such services became a huge business, and people were willing to pay, often emptying their life savings in the desperate hope that their troubles—be it physical, mental, or emotional—would be cured and their wishes fulfilled. The result was an astounding flow of money, with his Jalandhar branch alone raking in over Rs 3 crore every week. Mohali, being the largest and oldest church, contributed an even bigger amount,” said a close associate of pastor Singh from Jalandhar.