Former Indian Bishop Arrested in Alleged Money Laundering Case

Indian police displayed bundles of Indian currency they claimed to have seized from the house of Church of North India Bishop P. C. Singh of Jabalpur diocese in Madhya Pradesh on Sept. 8. (Photo: supplied)

P. C. Singh, former bishop of Jabalpur Diocese and moderator of the Synod of the Church of North India (CNI), was remanded in custody for seven days after being arrested by India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED), a federal agency that investigates money laundering and violations of foreign exchange laws. The arrest occurred on April 12, when officials raided his residence in Jabalpur and presented him before a special court in Madhya Pradesh the following day.

An ED official confirmed to UCA News on April 14 that Singh had been arrested and remanded in custody, though no further details were disclosed. Officials had previously raided Singh’s office and residence in September 2022, claiming to have uncovered cash worth 16 million Indian rupees (approximately US$200,000) and foreign currency valued at around US$250. They also recovered documents related to properties and vehicles allegedly disproportionate to his income.

Singh faces charges of misappropriation of funds, forgery, and cheating, as well as accusations of diverting diocesan school funds for personal use and involvement in money laundering. The seizure of foreign currency from his possession initiated the ED’s money laundering investigation into his activities.

Singh was arrested following the September 2022 raid and remained in judicial custody until January of this year. Shortly after his arrest, he was removed from his positions by the CNI as bishop of Jabalpur and moderator overseeing its 27 dioceses.

In March, the ED conducted additional searches at Singh’s office and residence, seizing more documents. Investigators also questioned Singh, his family members, and their associates during the course of the investigation.

The CNI, formed in 1970, unites all Protestant churches in northern India and administers vast land holdings and operates numerous educational and health institutions inherited from the Anglican Church of the British era. The CNI is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion and a member of the World Methodist Council.

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