A special court in Banda has handed down death sentences to a husband-wife pair, Ram Bhavan and Durgavati, in one of Uttar Pradesh’s most shocking child exploitation sagas. Convicted under stringent POCSO and IPC provisions, they face execution for sexually assaulting minors, exploiting them pornographically, and hoarding illicit content.
The investigation unveiled atrocities against 33 children aged as low as three, with physical injuries persisting and mental health crises ongoing. These acts unfolded over ten years in Banda and Chitrakoot, where the perpetrators used cunning tactics like video game lures, monetary incentives, and gifts.
The CBI stepped in on September 31, 2020, filing charges against Ram Bhavan—a government engineer—and unidentified accomplices for online abuse proliferation. A thorough probe involving multidisciplinary experts led to the chargesheet on February 10, 2021.
The trial court, labeling the crimes ‘rarest of rare,’ emphasized the premeditated nature targeting innocent lives. Compensation orders mandate Rs 10 lakh per victim from authorities, plus divided proceeds from seized funds at the accused’s residence.
As India grapples with rising child abuse reports, this verdict serves as a deterrent. It calls for enhanced parental awareness, school programs on digital safety, and empowered law enforcement to shield the vulnerable from such predators.