Chandigarh: In a significant development, self-styled Christian pastor Bajinder Singh has been sentenced to 20 years of life imprisonment by a Mohali court on Tuesday, April 1, in connection with the 2018 rape case from Zirakpur.
Singh, the pastor of the 'Glory and Wisdom' church in Tajpur village, was convicted by the court on March 28 for sexual assault. However, five other accused in the case were acquitted by the court.
Following the court's ruling, the victim shared her first reaction in a statement to ANI, expressing relief and gratitude. She said, "I am very happy. I am thankful to the Judge, my advocate. The court has served justice to me. I am grateful for that..."
Have a look at her statement here:
The victim's lawyer, advocate Anil Sagar told ANI, "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. We are satisfied with the quantum of sentence, which is life imprisonment. He has to stay behind bars until his last breath."
Singh was charged with multiple offenses, including Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 76, 420, 354, 294, 323, 506, 148, and 149 following a complaint by the victim.
