LawChakra hosted an interview with Advocate Neha Rastogi as the guest speaker who will be representing the victim in the Sexual Harassment case against the Pastor Bajinder Singh.
PUNJAB: A case of sexual harassment has been registered against Pastor Bajinder Singh, a well-known religious figure in Punjab’s Jalandhar district, following a complaint filed by a woman. According to the police report released on Sunday, the woman alleged that Singh engaged in inappropriate behavior over an extended period.
ALSO READ: Crimes Against Women: Role of Fast-Track Courts in India
Allegations Against the Pastor
The complainant stated that she and her parents had been regular visitors to Singh’s church since October 2017. During this time, Singh, who gained widespread attention for his viral video titled “Mera Yeshu Yeshu,” allegedly obtained her mobile number and began sending her unsolicited messages.
Fearful of his influence and authority, the woman hesitated to inform her parents about these advances. However, she claimed that since 2022, Singh would frequently summon her to a private cabin inside the church on Sundays, where he allegedly hugged her and touched her inappropriately.
ALSO READ: “Crimes Against Women Unforgivable, And Offenders Must Not Be Spared”: PM Modi
Legal Action Initiated
Following the woman’s complaint, the Punjab Police have officially registered a case against Pastor Bajinder Singh under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including:
- Section 354A – Sexual harassment
- Section 354D – Stalking
- Section 506 – Criminal intimidation
Singh enjoys a massive following on social media, with his sermons and religious messages frequently appearing on YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels. His influence has attracted endorsements from several well-known personalities, including Bollywood actors Chunky Pandey and Aditya Pancholi.
With a police investigation now underway, this case has sparked widespread discussions regarding the accountability of public religious figures and the necessity of stringent measures to protect vulnerable individuals from abuse of power and influence.
LawChakra got the opportunity to interview Adv. Neha Rastogi , who is the representing Advocate for the victim in the Sexual Harassment case against the Pastor Bajinder Singh, she mentioned that The NCWD has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter and issued notice against the accused stating that:
“No action has been taken yet against the accused as there was a POCSO case also registered against the accused and the acccused pastor has fled the country and the victim has been threatened by the accused and her parents her family has also received threats”
The Adv. mentioned that ,
” the victim was under anxiety and pressure as the victim was facing threats the accused being an influential person”
Adv. Rastogi also mentioned ,
” that he should not be referred to as Pastor as it is a pious word and he is doing these activities just to brain wash the people, as people follow him blindly”
She also mentioned ,
” the accused has murder and multiple FIR’s against him”
We also asked , Adv. Rastogi’s views as to whether the influence of the accused has prevented him from getting arrested and also , that is the reason he has not been arrested till now , to which she said ;
“He should have been arrested till now as he has molestation charges and under POCSO also , and immediate actions need to be taken as he can do anything , such as riots etc. and no action has been taken by the police , no statements have been recorded by the police and neither by the magistrate , she is facing serious life threats”
We even asked maam , as to
why the matter is being delayed , is it the public influence?
She mentioned,
“The government authorities are responsible as he is holding such long assemblies very regularly every now and then , if he is getting such large gatherings”
She also mentioned,
“the name of the Christian community is also being exploited and the community should issue a notice against him using his name ‘PASTOR'”
She mentioned further ,
” media should take action and come before , and we are asking for investigation and immediate arrest as he can influence investigation and his passport should be impounded immediately”
We asked , maam , whether the department is also under threat and not working because of the influence?
To which she mentioned ,
” Ofcourse it is the influence , but we cannot let anyone suffer because of the influence and the girl is suffering and is under alot of anxiety and is crying “
Firstly , maam questioned the title ‘PROPHET’ and said ,
“ There must be strict regulations and guidelines before anyone can use such titles, such as pastor , MAHARAJ , PROPHET etc. and the State Government should look into such matters, is it not difficult to bring the crowd together , there are so many other victims also”
Maam, also mentioned ,
“That it can be possible that the accused has joined the hands with the government and they are protecting him”
We asked , whether the government should bring about any guidelines against such people who are committing the crime on the name of religion?
to which she said ,
” the Government should bring about stringent guidelines and the government and department needs to check on such incidents “
she believes that ,
” When such people are put behind bars then their following itself gets faded”
It was an enriching experience to interview Adv. Neha Rastogi who enlightened us further on the matter related to the Sexual Harassment case against Pastor Bajinder Singh.
READ MORE REPORTS ON CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INSIGHTS ON THE INTERVIEW
