NCW seeks swift action against pastor Bajinder Singh in sexual harassment case

Chandigarh: The National Commission for Women (NCW) has urged the Punjab Police to take swift action against pastor Bajinder Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment in Jalandhar.

NCW chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar said on Friday that the commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the case and directed the police to submit an action-taken report and a copy of the FIR within three days.

“The matter involving a priest from Punjab is very serious and worrisome. The way the girl was sexually assaulted is deeply concerning. We have asked the Punjab Police what action they will take,” Rahatkar said at a press conference.

The case was registered based on a complaint by a 22-year-old woman, police said on March 2. She alleged that she and her parents had been visiting the church since October 2017, where the priest took her phone number and began sending her messages. Fearing Bajinder Singh, she did not inform her parents.

According to the complaint, since 2022, Singh allegedly made her sit alone in a cabin inside the church on Sundays and touched her inappropriately.

The police have registered a case against him under sections 354A (sexual harassment), 354D (stalking), and 506 (criminal intimidation).