An Indian court sentenced self-styled Christian preacher Bajinder Singh to life in jail for raping a lady in 2018.
The woman accused Singh of raping her at his residence in the northern province of Punjab, recording the crime, and then blackmailing her.
Singh, who has millions of followers, rose to prominence through his evangelist-style preaching and events, in which he is seen “healing” people suffering from serious ailments by placing his hands on them.
His Church of Glory and Wisdom, one of Punjab’s largest private churches, boasts some Bollywood stars among its adherents and claims to have branches all over the world.
His website lists branches in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Singh has a huge social media following, with over three million YouTube subscribers.
The preacher, who attends well-attended sessions dressed in sharp clothes, is noted for his furious sermons, frequently boasting that he can make people immensely wealthy and heal them of illnesses. Many of his popular videos show him whipping up crowds.
He places his hands on his disciples, who shake and convulse before claiming to be miraculously healed of their ailments.
On Tuesday, after the court pronounced Singh’s sentencing in the 2018 rape case, the woman’s counsel, Anil Sagar, praised the verdict, calling it an “exemplary punishment”.
“Any leniency in such cases where people use their social position to rape poor and weak people increases the confidence of predators,” Mr Sagar said.
Singh’s lawyers have not responded to the verdict. He is anticipated to file an appeal against the order in the top court.
At least two more women have accused the pastor of sexual assault. In February, authorities launched an inquiry after a former disciple accused him of sexual abuse.
Days later, the Punjab police filed a third case against Singh for allegedly assaulting another woman following a prayer session. He has refuted both charges.
His congregations have also received financial scrutiny. The income tax agency of India began an investigation into some of them in January of last year.
He was born in Haryana to a Hindu household and supposedly converted to Christianity while in prison 15 years ago.
According to media reports, he is in jail in connection with a murder case, although he has made no public statements about it.
On his website, he claims that “evil forces” forced him into a life of crime before he was handed a Bible and discovered God. His website also refers to him as a “prophet” and advertises “services” for healing people with holy oil and water.
He is portrayed in the media as a controversial character due to the numerous criminal cases filed against him.
However, his fans defend him, and Singh has previously blamed some of the unfavourable coverage on “schemes” and “plots” by competing pastors.
