UP court sentences ex-junior engineer, wife to death for sexual exploitation of 33 children

A special court in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda on Friday (February 20, 2026) sentenced a former assistant engineer of the state’s Irrigation Department and his wife to death for the sexual abuse of 33 boys, some as young as three years old, over a decade, officials said.

The POCSO court described these crimes as “rare to rare” and found Ram Bhawan and his wife Durgawati guilty of systematically abusing children between 2010 and 2020. The duo distributed more than two thousand objectionable videos and photos of the victims via the internet to approximately 47 countries.

The couple was convicted by Additional District and Sessions Judge (POCSO) Court Pradeep Kumar Mishra under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act.

Special Prosecutor Saurabh Singh said the accused were found guilty of offenses such as aggravated penetrative sexual assault, using a child for pornographic purposes, hiding pornographic material involving children, abetting and criminal conspiracy.

The court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay compensation of ₹ 10 lakh to each of the 33 victims. “The court also ordered that the amount of cash seized from the house of the accused be distributed equally among the victims,” ​​the CBI said in a statement. he said.

During the investigation, it was found that Ram Bhawan, a resident of Naraini town in Banda district, was living in a rented room in Chitrakoot area where the crimes were committed and his wife was allegedly helping him.

The prosecutor said court records show that the defendant tricked and threatened minors and subjected them to physical and mental abuse for several years. The objectionable material was allegedly used for blackmail and other criminal activities.

The court described the crimes as “rare to rare” due to the “unique depravity and systemic nature of the crimes.”

“Such crimes not only destroy the lives of children, but also shake the moral foundations of society. Any leniency in such cases sends a dangerous message,” the court said. he said.

“The magnitude of this victimization experienced in many areas, combined with the extreme moral depravity of the convicts, marks this as a crime of such an exceptional and heinous nature that it leaves no room for reform and requires ultimate judicial deterrence to achieve the ends of justice.”

The court ordered the state government and relevant departments to take “concrete steps” to rehabilitate, psychologically treat and secure the future of the victims.

Ram Bhawan was arrested by the CBI along with other accused on October 31, 2020, for allegations of child sexual abuse; using children for pornographic purposes; and the creation and distribution of Child Sexual Exploitation Material over the Internet.

“During the investigation of the case, it was revealed that the accused had committed various forms of perversion, including aggravated sexual assaults on 33 boys, some of whom were as young as three years old,” a CBI spokesperson said.

It was also stated that the investigation also revealed that some victims’ private parts were injured during sexual assault.

“Some remained hospitalized. A few of the victims developed strabismus. The victims are still suffering from psychological trauma caused by predators,” he said.

He said sexual predators remained active in the general district of Banda and Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh between 2010 and 2020.

“Ram Bhawan used to use different methods on children, including access to online video games and giving money/gifts to attract them,” he said.

He was exposed by the CBI while monitoring CSAM (child sexual exploitation material) content on the internet.

“The investigation maintained sensitivity during its examination of minor victims and ensured their emotional well-being through counselling.

“During the investigation, there was seamless coordination with forensic experts, medical experts dealing with child sexual abuse cases and child protection authorities. The investigation also ensured the processing and preservation of digital evidence,” he said.

A few months after taking up the case, the CBI filed a chargesheet against Ram Bhawan and his wife on February 10, 2021.

Mr Singh said the prosecution examined 74 witnesses during the trial.

It was published – 21 February 2026 02:19 IST