Dera Head Gets Decade in Prison for Heinous Crimes
A court in Moga, Punjab, has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing the head of a religious dera to a lengthy prison term for sexual assault and blackmail. Baljinder Singh, who headed the Charanghat Thath dera based in Jagraon, was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment on Monday for repeatedly raping a 25-year-old woman and threatening to leak her private photographs and videos online.
A Betrayal of Trust and a Pattern of Abuse
The harrowing ordeal began when the survivor, whose brother performed 'sewa' at the dera, sought Baljinder Singh's counsel regarding her brother's temper issues. The family had been followers of the dera for two years. According to the detailed complaint, the accused first targeted her on May 6, 2024. He offered to take her to Gurdwara Daroli Bhai in his SUV but instead diverted to a hotel in Moga where he allegedly raped her.
In a calculated move to ensure her silence, he recorded nude photos and videos of the victim on his mobile phone. He then used this material to blackmail her, forcing her into continued sexual abuse. The survivor stated that when she stopped visiting the dera, Baljinder Singh pressured her mother to send her back. He threatened her family's safety, demanding she meet him every Monday and Friday in a basement, where the assaults persisted for four months.
The Path to Justice and Court's Stern Punishment
The cycle of terror finally broke when the survivor was admitted to a hospital on September 18, 2024. She approached the police, leading to Baljinder Singh's arrest on September 20, 2024, just two days after the FIR was filed. The Moga court convicted him under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
The court imposed a 10-year sentence and a fine of Rs 50,000 under section 376. For criminal intimidation, he received a two-year sentence and a Rs 5,000 fine. Both sentences will run concurrently. In a crucial order uploaded on Tuesday, the court also invoked Section 357 A of the CrPC to award the survivor Rs 4 lakh in compensation for rehabilitation.
Verdict Highlights Damage to Sacred Institutions
In its ruling, the court made a poignant observation about the broader impact of such crimes. It noted that the criminal acts of the convict, who headed a religious organization, are bound to shatter the image of pious and sacred spiritual, social, cultural, and religious institutions. The court stated this reflects the irreparable damage caused by the convict to the religious place and the trust of its followers.
This case underscores the severe consequences of abusing positions of spiritual authority and the judiciary's firm stance in delivering justice to survivors while acknowledging the profound societal harm such betrayals cause.
