Gurdaspur (Punjab) [India], April 9 (ANI): Self-styled Pastor Jashan Gill, accused of raping a 22-year-old woman and allegedly forcing her into a fatal abortion, surrendered before the Gurdaspur Court on Wednesday. Authorities have secured a five-day remand for his custodial interrogation.
According to the victim’s father, the family regularly attended a church in Abul Khair village where Gill served as pastor. He alleges that the accused “misled and repeatedly raped” his daughter, who was a BCA student, and later pressured her into undergoing an illegal abortion performed by a nurse in Khokhar village.
“The abortion was performed carelessly, after which she got an infection… she later died during treatment,” said the father, speaking anonymously.
The father further claims that the police did not take timely action, and he now fears for his safety after receiving multiple threats. He has approached the Punjab High Court seeking a CBI inquiry into the case.
“I got a lot of threats, so I left my village… Punjab Police did nothing. I demand a CBI inquiry,” he told ANI.
Context: Previous Conviction of Another Pastor
This case comes shortly after Pastor Bajinder Singh was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Mohali Court on April 1 in connection with a 2018 sexual harassment case. That case involved a woman who alleged physical assault during a prayer session.
Both incidents have stirred fresh concerns about accountability and abuse in some self-styled religious circles in Punjab. Calls for external investigation and tighter regulation of such institutions have gained momentum amid public outcry.
(ANI)
About The Author
