Lucknow, February 21: In a landmark ruling, a special POCSO court in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, has sentenced a former government junior engineer and his wife to death for the systematic s*xual abuse of 33 minor boys. The court categorised the case as "rarest of rare," highlighting the unparalleled depravity of the crimes, which spanned a decade and involved the international sale of abuse material on the dark web.

Verdict and Sentencing

Additional District Judge Pradeep Kumar Mishra delivered the capital punishment to Ram Bhawan, 50, a former official in the state’s Irrigation Department, and his wife, Durgawati, 47. The couple was convicted under the Protection of Children from S*xual Offences (POCSO) Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including aggravated penetrative s*xual assault and criminal conspiracy. Banda Shocker: Engineer, His Wife Sentenced to Death by POCSO Court for S*xually Abusing Over 30 Children, Recording Act to Upload on P*rn Sites.

UP Couple Gets Death for S*xual Abuse of 33 Boys

In addition to the death penalty, the court ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to pay INR 10 lakh in compensation to each of the 33 identified victims. The judge also directed that INR 8.27 lakh in cash, seized from the couple’s residence during the investigation, be distributed equally among the survivors.

A Decade of Exploitation

The prosecution established that between 2010 and 2020, the couple targeted young boys, some as young as three years old, primarily from economically disadvantaged families in the Banda and Chitrakoot districts. Bengaluru: ‘Drunk’ Women Assault Cab Driver, Abuse Crowd; Case Registered After Video Goes Viral.

Ram Bhawan allegedly lured the children to his home using gifts such as chocolates, mobile phones, and watches, as well as access to high-speed internet and online video games. Once inside, the children were subjected to severe physical and s*xual abuse, which was recorded on digital devices.

Global Distribution of Content

The scale of the operation extended far beyond the local neighborhood. According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the couple produced and circulated over two lakh (200,000) objectionable photographs and videos.

This material was sold on encrypted platforms and the dark web to customers across 47 countries. The case first came to light in 2020 after Interpol flagged child s*xual abuse material (CSAM) circulating globally, which the CBI eventually traced back to Bhawan’s residence.

Impact on Victims

The court noted the lasting psychological and physical trauma inflicted on the survivors. Medical examinations conducted by experts from AIIMS Delhi revealed that many victims suffered severe internal injuries; some even developed permanent physical conditions, such as squinted eyes, due to the nature of the torture.

Special Public Prosecutor Kamal Singh Gautam stated during the trial that the survivors continue to battle significant trauma, asserting that the couple’s actions "shook the moral foundation of society."

Background of the Investigation

The CBI registered the FIR on October 31, 2020, following a tip-off from international law enforcement agencies. Ram Bhawan was arrested in November 2020, and his wife was taken into custody shortly after. Investigators seized a massive cache of digital evidence and electronic records during the raids.

While the defense has indicated plans to appeal the judgment in a higher court, the special court emphasised that the systemic nature of the crimes and the lack of scope for reformation justified the maximum penalty.

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Women and Child Helpline Numbers:

Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2026 04:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).