Pastor Bajinder Singh, head of “The Church of Glory and Wisdom” and a YouTube sensation, received a life sentence for rape, seven years after the initial complaint. The sentencing follows recent allegations of assault and sexual harassment against him.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, April 1, 2025: The meteoric rise and subsequent dramatic fall of self-styled preacher Pastor Bajinder Singh, known to his millions of followers as the “Yeshu Yeshu prophet,” culminated today in a Mohali court sentencing him to life imprisonment for a 2018 rape case.
The 42-year-old Singh, who built a substantial religious empire on claims of miracles and divine healing, was convicted under stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape (376), voluntarily causing hurt (323), and criminal intimidation (506). He has since been moved to Patiala jail to begin his sentence.
The conviction and sentencing stem from a complaint lodged at the Zirakpur police station seven years ago. In 2018, a woman accused Bajinder Singh of exploiting her vulnerability by promising to facilitate her travel abroad. According to her testimony, Singh lured her to his residence in Sector 63, Mohali, where he allegedly raped her and, in a deeply disturbing act, recorded the assault. The complainant further alleged that Singh used the video as leverage, threatening to disseminate it on social media if she refused to submit to his demands. This betrayal of trust and the subsequent threats formed the crux of the prosecution’s case.
Bajinder Singh’s ascent to prominence began in 2012. Leveraging charismatic oratory and purported divine powers to heal ailments, he rapidly garnered a significant following. His congregations, often characterized by fervent displays of faith and testimonies of miraculous cures, drew large crowds. He established “The Church of Glory and Wisdom” as his primary base, with locations at Tajpur in Jalandhar and Majri in Mohali. Supporters have claimed the ministry’s reach extends far beyond these physical locations, with numerous alleged branches across India and even internationally, though these claims have not been independently verified.
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A key element of Singh’s popularity was his adept use of social media. His YouTube channel, aptly named “Prophet Bajinder Singh,” became a digital pulpit, broadcasting his congregations live to a global audience. The channel amassed a staggering 3.74 million subscribers, underscoring the preacher’s widespread influence and the devotion of his followers, many of whom sought solace and healing through his online sermons and pronouncements. The “Yeshu Yeshu” chant became his recognizable and often repeated signature phrase, further solidifying his public persona.
However, the veneer of spiritual authority began to crack with the emergence of recent scandals. Earlier this month, Mohali Police registered a separate case against Singh for assault and other charges following the viral spread of a CCTV footage. The video, purportedly from February 14, 2025, showed Singh engaged in a heated argument with a woman, culminating in him throwing papers at her and then slapping her. This incident provided a stark contrast to the image of a benevolent spiritual leader he had cultivated.
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Furthermore, Singh is currently facing a probe into a sexual harassment complaint filed on February 28 by a 22-year-old woman. Her allegations detail a pattern of inappropriate messages, solitary summons to his cabin, and unwanted advances. Singh has vehemently denied these accusations, dismissing them as baseless attempts to tarnish his reputation. Nevertheless, the police have formed a dedicated Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a senior officer to conduct a thorough and impartial inquiry into these serious charges.
‘Yeshu Yeshu Prophet' Bajinder Singh
1. Gets Life Term In 2018 Rape Case by a Punjab Court
2. He also carries charges of sexual harassment from another case from a 22 yrs old girl
3. There are several videos of him assaulting women also surfaced recently
4. He is also… pic.twitter.com/GSOIjsIbGD
— Flt Lt Anoop Verma (Retd.) 🇮🇳 (@FltLtAnoopVerma) April 1, 2025
The life sentence handed down in the 2018 rape case marks a significant turning point in the trajectory of Bajinder Singh’s public life. Once a figure of considerable influence and reverence for millions, he now faces a lengthy prison term for a heinous crime. The acquittal of the five other accused in the same case suggests a focused prosecution against Singh himself. The ongoing investigations into assault and sexual harassment further compound his legal troubles and cast a dark shadow over the legacy he attempted to build. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for abuse of power within religious institutions and the importance of holding even the most influential figures accountable for their actions. The sentencing is likely to trigger widespread reactions from his followers and the broader public, prompting discussions about faith, accountability, and the complexities of religious leadership in contemporary society.
