Gurdaspur, Punjab — April 5, 2025: The Punjab Police is once again under intense scrutiny, this time for alleged inaction in a shocking case involving self-styled pastor Jashan Gill, who is accused of raping a 22-year-old woman, impregnating her, and forcing an unsafe abortion that led to her untimely death. The victim’s father is now demanding a CBI inquiry, alleging that the pastor bribed the police to evade arrest.
The woman, a BCA student from Abul Khair village in Gurdaspur district, reportedly fell prey to the pastor during regular visits to his church. According to her father, Pastor Jashan repeatedly raped her under false pretenses, ultimately forcing her to undergo an abortion carried out by an unqualified nurse in Khokhar village.
“The abortion was done negligently. She developed severe complications, complained of stomach pain, and was rushed to a hospital. An ultrasound revealed that she had undergone an abortion. She later died during treatment in an Amritsar hospital,” the grieving father told ANI.
Family Alleges Police Inaction and Intimidation
Despite the incident occurring in 2023, the father alleges that no arrest has been made, and Jashan Gill continues to roam free. He has accused the Punjab Police of corruption, claiming they were bribed by the pastor to delay or bury the case.
He further added that he had received multiple death threats, forcing him to flee his village. In his pursuit of justice, he has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.
“The Punjab Police has failed us. I want justice for my daughter. I’ve received threats and now live in fear,” he said.
Pattern of Allegations Against Self-Styled Pastors in Punjab
This case comes just days after a Mohali court sentenced self-proclaimed pastor Bajinder Singh to life imprisonment in a separate 2018 sexual assault case, indicating a disturbing pattern of abuse by religious figures in Punjab.
The Bajinder Singh case had similarly involved a complaint from a woman who was allegedly assaulted after a prayer meeting, underscoring concerns over the abuse of religious influence and trust.
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
The growing number of cases involving religious leaders misusing their positions has led to public outrage and increased calls for strict oversight, accountability, and timely justice. Human rights activists and women’s safety groups have also begun demanding judicial monitoring of such cases, especially where there is alleged police inaction or bias.
