In a deeply disturbing case, a couple from Uttar Pradesh, India, has been sentenced to death for the sexual abuse of 33 minors, some as young as three years old. Over a decade, they produced and sold explicit content of these children to buyers in 47 countries through the dark web.
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Ram Bhawan, 50, orchestrated the operation from a rented room in Chitrakoot while employed as a junior engineer in the state's irrigation department. His wife, Durgavati, 47, allegedly assisted him by threatening the victims' families into silence. The couple exploited these children over the years, creating over 200,000 videos, as detailed in their trial which concluded in Banda.
For a decade, the couple targeted young boys from Banda and Chitrakoot districts, drawing them in with gifts like mobile phones, chocolates, and watches before subjecting them to abuse. Ram Bhawan used the promise of small favors to trap his victims and then manipulated them using the footage, maintaining their silence through threats.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), supported by Interpol, carried out a detailed investigation, uncovering a digital network used to distribute the materials. Three mobile numbers connected to the dark web led investigators to the couple. A search resulted in the discovery of a pen drive with 34 videos and 679 explicit images.
The systematic nature of their crimes, combined with the psychological and physical harm inflicted on the victims, was thoroughly documented. Many victims needed medical attention for injuries, while some continue to suffer from trauma. This evidence was crucial in leading to the sentencing handed down by the special court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
Judge Pradeep Kumar Mishra, in a 163-page judgment, applied the "rarest of rare" doctrine. His decision to issue the death penalty was based on the heinous nature of the crimes and the lack of any possibility for reformation. The judgment emphasized the gravity and widespread impact of the couple's offences.
Furthermore, the Uttar Pradesh government has been instructed to pay ₹10 lakh (£8,177) in compensation to each victim. The court ordered the cash seized from the couple's home to be equally distributed among the victims, recognizing the need for restitution alongside punitive measures.
This case has not only drawn attention to the horrifying details of the crimes but has also highlighted systemic issues surrounding child abuse and exploitation. It underscores a rigorous approach to addressing and punishing such criminal acts to uphold justice and protect vulnerable populations.
The sentencing reflects a strong message from the Indian judiciary about the severe consequences for those involved in child exploitation and aims to deter similar offenses in the future.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now · Source · 21 Feb 2026
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