Supporters of jailed pastor accused of threatening rape survivor, leaking identity online
Chandigarh: After Pastor Bajinder Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment in a seven-year-old rape case, his supporters have allegedly begun harassing the rape survivor by revealing her identity online and issuing threats to her family.
The survivor has lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the Balongi police station, stating that several individuals are posting her name, home address, photographs, and personal CCTV footage on social media. The police have registered the case and are currently investigating the matter with assistance from the cyber cell.
The survivor told the police that one of the videos was uploaded on April 3 by a YouTube channel linked to accused Ashish Rajkumar. In the video, Rajkumar is seen speaking to a follower of Bajinder Singh. The video allegedly discloses the survivor’s name, her husband’s name, their home address, and other personal information, violating legal provisions meant to protect the identities of rape victims.
According to the complainant, Rajkumar posted another audio clip on April 5, in which a person named Avi is heard making abusive remarks against her. The survivor claims these recordings are part of a larger campaign by Pastor Bajinder’s IT cell to incite the Christian community against her and her husband, accusing them of harming the faith.
“My husband has been receiving death threats over the phone,” the survivor said. “Unknown individuals keep visiting our home and office. These videos, now uploaded to multiple YouTube channels, have garnered nearly 15 million views.”
She further alleged that the acts are being carried out deliberately to provoke Bajinder’s supporters and endanger her family’s safety. The survivor warned that the campaign may disrupt communal harmony in Punjab and demanded immediate action.
She also mentioned that various organisations from the Valmiki Samaj are supporting her. The Mohali court had sentenced Pastor Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment on April 1. As per court orders, disclosing the identity of a rape victim is punishable under various laws, including the POCSO Act.