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Breaking News Today (1st April) Live Updates: Fire breaks out at firecracker godown in Gujarat’s Banaskantha, death toll rises to 18 as emergency teams recover bodies

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Apr 01, 2025, 16:21:45 IST

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live Updates: Fire breaks out at firecracker godown in Gujarat’s Banaskantha, death toll rises to 18 as emergency teams recover bodies

Bajinder Singh, a self-styled pastor, was convicted by a Mohali court in a sexual harassment case from 2018. The case involved a woman who had attended his church and accused Singh of sending unwanted texts and harassing her. Singh had previously been apprehended while attempting to flee to London, and further allegations of sexual abuse have since emerged. In 2022, another woman accused Singh of isolating and sexually exploiting her in a church cabin. On the heels of his conviction, two more women came forward, accusing him of similar exploitation. Despite FIRs being filed, these women claimed that police inaction and threats from Singh pushed them to approach the Akal Takht for assistance. The Akal Takht, led by Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, has demanded immediate action against Singh, urging the Punjab government to ensure the victims' safety and expedite justice.

16:20 (IST) Apr 01

Gujarat blast news Live Updates: Factory owner stored explosives illegally, leading to blast says Health minister Rushikesh Patel

Health Minister Rushikesh Patel stated that a team from the SP office had visited the premises on March 12 and did not find any explosives in the godown. “After that visit, the factory owner stored explosives in the factory and even began manufacturing, which led to the blast and multiple deaths. The factory owner did not have the basic required facilities to store the crackers, which is why his license was not renewed by the district administration, and the Banaskantha police gave a negative response,” said Patel.
He added that two accused had been arrested, and the process of filing an FIR was underway.

16:09 (IST) Apr 01

'We will catch the accused soon and ensure maximum punishment,' says Banaskantha SP Akshya Raj Makwana

Banaskantha SP Akshya Raj Makwana said the factory, owned by Khoobchand Sindhi of Deesa, was operating illegally in the Deesa GIDC. “We will nab the accused very soon and will file an FIR under the stringent legal provisions so that no one would play with fire again. We have formed teams which were dispatched to Rajasthan and Ahmedabad. We came to know that the owner did not have permission for stocking crackers and even though he began manufacturing crackers. We will also file a full-proof charge sheet to ensure the accused would get the maximum punishment,” said Makwana.

14:59 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: 18 killed in firecracker godown explosion in Gujarat’s Banaskantha

A fire broke out at a firecracker godown near Deesa town, Banaskantha, on Tuesday, killing 18 people and injuring several others.
Most of the victims are from Madhya Pradesh. The godown collapsed due to the blaze, and the cause is under investigation. Rescue operations are underway, and the injured are being treated at the Deesa government hospital.

14:21 (IST) Apr 01

'Court has served justice to me,' says victim after Mohali Court’s order in Pastor Bajinder Singh case

After Mohali court's order in Pastor Bajinder Singh sexual assault case, victim says, "I am very happy. I am thankful to the Judge, my advocate. The court has served justice to me. I am grateful for that."

12:18 (IST) Apr 01

'Exemplary punishment needed': Lawyer on pastor Bajinder Singh's life sentence

— ANI (@ANI)

12:05 (IST) Apr 01

Mohali Court awards life imprisonment to Pastor Bajinder Singh in a 2018 sexual harassment case.

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11:49 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: 'Want at least 20 years of imprisonment,' says victim

— ANI (@ANI)

09:16 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: Viral video adds to controversy

Recently, a video surfaced online allegedly showing Bajinder Singh slapping a man and a woman inside an office-like setting. The video was sent to a special investigation team led by Phagwara SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti. However, officials clarified that the video is still under verification and may not be directly related to the ongoing case.

09:15 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: Akal Takht demands strict action

Akal Takht’s officiating jathedar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, expressed concern over the delay in police action against Bajinder Singh. He urged the Punjab government to ensure the safety of the victims and take immediate legal action against the convicted pastor. He also praised the courage of the women who stepped forward.

09:15 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: New accusations from two more women

A day after his conviction, two more women came forward with allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation. They met the officiating jathedar of Akal Takht, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargajj, seeking assistance. They claimed that despite FIRs being filed, Singh’s influence had prevented police action, and they faced threats for speaking up.

09:14 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: Additional sexual harassment allegations

Apart from the 2018 case, Singh has faced multiple other allegations of sexual misconduct. On February 28, 2025, a 22-year-old woman filed a complaint against him, claiming that in 2022, Singh isolated her in a church cabin and sexually harassed her on Sundays. She also alleged that he threatened to harm her family if she spoke out.

09:14 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: Bajinder Singh’s arrest while fleeing to London

In July 2018, Bajinder Singh was apprehended at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi while attempting to board a flight to London. His arrest was linked to the ongoing investigation into the 2017 allegations.

09:13 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: Case background

The case dates back to 2017 when a woman from Zirakpur, Punjab, alleged that Singh had obtained her phone number after she started attending his church. She claimed that he sent her unwanted messages and later sexually harassed her. Initially, she remained silent due to fear but later filed formal charges against Singh.

09:13 (IST) Apr 01

Breaking News Today (1st April) Live: Bajinder Singh convicted in 2018 rape case

A Mohali court has convicted self-proclaimed Christian preacher Bajinder Singh, commonly known as ‘Yeshu Yeshu Prophet,’ in a rape case from 2018. The verdict was announced on Friday, and the sentencing is scheduled for today. Singh, 42, appeared in court alongside six other accused after non-bailable warrants were issued against them.

Bajinder Singh, a self-proclaimed Christian pastor known as 'Yeshu Yeshu prophet,' has been convicted in a sexual harassment case in Mohali, Punjab. The case dates back to 2017, when a woman from Zirakpur accused him of initiating unwanted contact after she began attending his church. Singh was apprehended in 2018 at Delhi's airport while attempting to flee abroad. This conviction comes amid multiple legal issues faced by Singh, including other harassment allegations. Recently, two more women have accused him of sexual abuse, leading to FIRs filed by Punjab Police. However, the victims have claimed that police inaction and threats from Singh forced them to seek help from the Akal Takht. The Akal Takht has called for immediate and strict action against Singh, expressing support for the victims.

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