Various self-styled spiritual leaders, deras, and ashrams have courted controversies and created law-and-order situations, prompting the judiciary to pass remedial measures. One such case is that of self-styled preacher Bajinder Singh, also known as the ‘Yeshu Yeshu Prophet’ and ‘Papa Ji.’
On Tuesday, a Mohali special court sentenced Bajinder Singh to rigorous imprisonment for the remainder of his natural life, along with a Rs 1 lakh fine. His conviction followed a 2018 case filed by a woman who accused him of sexual assault, blackmail, and extortion. According to her testimony, Singh lured her under the pretense of religious guidance, drugged and assaulted her, and later used explicit videos to threaten and exploit her financially.
● Rampal | Satlok Ashram, Barwala
The controversial preacher had faced a contempt of court case before the Punjab and Haryana high court for trying to influence judicial proceedings in relation to a murder case pending against him in a lower court. In 2014, he stubbornly challenged the high court’s orders and openly defied its orders even after issuing the non-bailable warrants against him. State machinery had to face huge resistance from Rampal and his followers in arresting him to execute court orders. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment for several charges.
Also read: ‘Badnaam hue to kia hua, naam to hai’: Rape convict pastor Bajinder Singh converted to Christianity during jail term in murder case
● Baba Bhaniarawala | Bhaniarawala sect, Ropar
Controversial spiritual leader of a breakaway Sikh sect, Baba Piara Singh Bhaniara had stormed controversies through his controversial book, “Bhav Sagar Samunder Amarbani Granth” describing his miracles.
Initially, Guru Granth Sahib had the central place at his dera and in his rituals. However, it was later replaced with his new granth. Sikhs took umbrage on the ground that he was equating his Granth with the Sikh holy book. As the controversy raged, the Sikhs resorted to protests and the then SAD-BJP govt had banned the granth in 2001. Bhaniarawala later burnt the Guru Granth Sahib to avenge the banning of his granth. In May 2013, he was even convicted for hurting the religious sentiments. He died later.
● Gurmeet Ram Rahim | Dera Sacha Sauda, Sirsa
Sirsa based Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is currently serving a sentence in Rohtak’s Sunaria jail since Aug 2017. On August 25, 2017, a special CBI court in Panchkula convicted him for the rape of sadhvis (female disciples) and sentenced him to two terms of 20 years imprisonment. He is currently serving a sentence for rape and a journalist’s murder case. Around 40 people lost their lives in Aug 2017 after violence took place in Panchkula and other parts of Haryana and Punjab after he was convicted for rape cases.
● Jalebi Baba | Fatehabad, Tohana
In Jan 2023, a fast-track special court had held 63-year-old Amarveer, also popular as Jalebi Baba Amarpuri ‘Billu’ of Fatehabad’s Tohana in Haryana, guilty of not only raping more than 100 women but also making video clips of those crimes. Jalebi Baba used the clips to blackmail the women into exploiting them again. The Tohana City police had booked him on July 19, 2019, when one of the videos went viral in the city.
Later investigation led the cops to at least 120 similar clips, each of a different victim, and these had been shot with Amarveer’s mobile phone. A widower who is father of four girls and two boys, Amarveer had moved to Tohana from Punjab’s Mansa town about 23 years ago. In the first 13 years, he ran a jalebi stall, where he met a tantrik who initiated him into the occult practices. After his conviction, he died in custody on account of some ailment.
