Official Associated With Bible Society of India Arrested for Financial Corruption

Despite troubles, United Bible Societies remains confident in BSI’s finances

Last September, Anglican Bishop P.C. Singh, who served as the president of the Bible Society of India from 2019-2022, was arrested for criminal breach of trust, cheating, forging documents, and criminal conspiracy while transferring the government land given on lease to the Church of North India.

Anglican Bishop P.C. Singh, who serves as president of Bible Society of India until he was arrested on charges of money laundering in relation to his position at the Church of North India / Photo via National Council of Church in India

Singh is accused of selling land that didn’t belong to him for 30 million Rupees ($360,000) then keeping the money. He was later arrested again for money laundering charges. Singh was removed from leadership in the Church of North India in 2022.

Singh’s financial crimes in other areas raised concerns among those who have long worked for the Bible Society of India (BSI).

Rev. Chittranjan Polson, who served as auxiliary secretary for the Allahabad Auxiliary of the BSI, is uneasy about Singh’s former leadership role at BSI and whether he and his associate B.K. Patnaik might have been part of covering up financial irregularities Polson discovered while examining the auxiliary’s finances. According to social media posted by BSI, Singh was first elected as its president in 2019.

Polson brought these irregularities and concerns to the attention of the United Bible Societies (UBS) in July 2023. He reached out again in June of this year.

“I am well aware that UBS has no administrative authority over BSI, but I humbly implore you to thoroughly investigate the concerns I have expressed. Considering that BSI is affiliated with the UBS fraternity, I beseech you to take appropriate action guided by your inner sense of justice,” Polson wrote to UBS.

He says his service at the BSI auxiliary was terminated after he raised his concerns about the alleged corruption.

UBS is a “world-wide network of Bible Societies operating in over 240 countries and territories to make sure that everyone who wants to can access and engage with the Bible.” That network includes the Bible Society of India.

Many of the bible translation projects that occur within the network of UBS groups come through “International Support Programme” (ISP) grants. According to the most recent annual report posted on the UBS website from 2022, ISP grants totaled nearly $34.7 million U.S. dollars.

UBS told MinistryWatch that over the past five years, it has provided BSI with regular financial support for Bible translation efforts and other projects. “While the amounts may vary each year based on specific needs and donor contributions, the BSI remains committed to being transparent about how these funds are allocated and used,” UBS said in an email.

The Bible Society of India’s audited financial statement for 2022-2023 reports foreign contributions exceeding 271 million rupees ($3.25 million).

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MinistryWatch asked UBS if it had conducted any investigation into Singh’s leadership at BSI given his arrests and the concerns raised by Polson.

After several requests over the course of a few weeks, UBS responded that “there has been no indication or evidence of financial misconduct involving BSI funds that would have triggered any internal reviews, either by the BSI or UBS…The BSI operates under a constitutionally established leadership structure, where the General Secretary, as Chief Executive Officer, is solely responsible for overseeing financial and administrative matters.”

UBS clarified that Singh’s position as president was honorary only with no financial authority at BSI but was removed from that position “after the controversy surrounding him became public,” which was in 2022.

Pattanaik, who became vice president in 2023, had no prior leadership association with Singh within the BSI, UBS stated.

“Nonetheless, we remain vigilant in reviewing the leadership and financial management of all senior members to maintain the integrity of our organization,” UBS stated.

UBS expressed its confidence in the financial reporting of BSI. “UBS holds itself and all of its affiliate members, including the BSI, to the highest standards of financial accountability. We have robust processes in place to ensure that all grant money is managed properly and used for its intended purposes. These measures include regular external audits, strict compliance with financial reporting standards, and oversight committees to monitor the distribution and use of funds,” it said.

According to the most recent financial data, in 2022 UBS had revenue of over $49 million, expenses totaling $46 million, and net assets totaling nearly $87 million.

The American Bible Society, also a member of UBS, did not reply to MinistryWatch inquiries about grants it has made to the BSI nor whether it has requested an investigation or audit of finances during the time Singh served as president of BSI.

“Around the world, American Bible Society’s financial partners support Scripture distribution projects organized by our on-the-ground partners from United Bible Societies,” the website says.

ABS undertakes projects in India. For example, according to an article in 2020, ABS claims to have distributed more than 18.3 million full Bibles – 46% of the global provision –  in just five countries – Brazil, China, USA, India and Nigeria.

ABS is a giant in the Bible translation industry with revenue exceeding $108 million in 2023. It has net assets in excess of $660 million.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Why does MinistryWatch report on financial fraud in the church? We report on them because one in three churches will be victimized, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity. We also report on them because these crimes have real victims and cost taxpayers and other stakeholders billions of dollars every year. Even small crimes in small churches have huge consequences. We also report on them to remind our readers that they do not have to be victims. There are steps you can take to prevent financial waste, fraud, and abuse in your church or ministry. To find out more, click here.

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