Mohali, April 04: A Mohali court on Tuesday sentenced Punjab preacher Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment in a 2018 rape case, following an eight-year trial. Singh, widely known for his “Yashu Yashu” videos, was convicted of sexual misconduct and rape last week.
Singh was taken into custody and sent to Patiala jail immediately after the verdict. The case stems from a complaint filed in 2018, in which a woman accused Singh of luring her to his Mohali residence under the pretext of assisting her in settling abroad, then raping her. The complainant also alleged that Singh recorded the act and later attempted to extort money by threatening to release the footage.
An FIR was registered, and Singh was arrested at Delhi airport in 2018. He was subsequently released on bail before being convicted in 2024.
The victim’s lawyer welcomed the sentence, stating, “He was popular as a spiritual leader. His followers used to call him ‘Papa ji’. When this kind of crime is committed by such a person, an exemplary punishment must be given.”
Singh faces additional allegations, including a sexual harassment case filed by a 22-year-old woman. In February, another FIR was registered against him following a separate assault complaint.
Born into a Jat family in Haryana, Singh converted to Christianity while serving time for a murder case. He later gained prominence as a preacher, claiming to miraculously heal people of ailments like HIV and muteness. He runs churches in Jalandhar and Mohali and has built a significant social media following, with 3.12 million subscribers on YouTube and 1.1 million followers on Instagram. Over the years, several celebrities have endorsed him.
Despite his conviction, Singh remains a polarizing figure, drawing thousands to his gatherings and maintaining a dedicated base of followers.
