Banda POCSO Court Awards Death Penalty to Couple for Decade-Long Abuse of 33 Boys
A special court in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, has delivered a landmark verdict, sentencing a former government junior engineer and his wife to death for the horrific sexual abuse of 33 minor boys over approximately a decade. The court, operating under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, described the case as falling within the "rarest of rare" category, emphasizing the scale, duration, and systematic nature of the crimes.
Systematic Abuse Over Ten Years
According to prosecution evidence and court findings, the offences occurred between 2010 and 2020, targeting boys as young as three years old. The accused, identified as Ram Bhawan (50) and his wife Durgawati (47), allegedly preyed on children from economically weaker families in their neighbourhood. Investigators revealed that the couple lured the minors with money, food, mobile phones, internet access, and online video games to gain their trust.
Once trust was established, the boys were sexually assaulted inside the couple's residence. The abuse was meticulously recorded on mobile phones and other digital devices. Prosecutors informed the court that these recordings were sold and circulated online, including on encrypted platforms and the dark web, with investigators alleging that the material reached customers in as many as 47 countries.
Investigation and Legal Proceedings
The case came to light after Interpol flagged child sexual abuse material circulating on the dark web, which was traced back to the couple. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) subsequently took over the investigation. An FIR was registered by the CBI on 31 October 2020 against Ram Bhawan, Durgawati, and other unknown individuals, with allegations including sexual abuse and the creation and dissemination of child sexual abuse material.
During the investigation, officials seized digital devices and gathered electronic records. Medical examinations of the victims were conducted, and their statements were recorded. A chargesheet was filed on 10 February 2021, leading to a rigorous trial.
Evidence and Court Observations
The prosecution relied on multiple strands of evidence during the trial, including survivor testimonies, medical expert reports, and digital evidence recovered from seized phones and storage devices. The court observed that the offences caused severe physical and psychological harm to the children, with some victims requiring hospital treatment for injuries and others developing complications such as squint eyes.
The judge noted that the abuse continued for nearly a decade and involved a large number of children, describing the acts as systematic and exploitative. On 20–21 February 2026, the special POCSO court convicted the couple of multiple offences and awarded the death penalty, stating there was "no room for reformation."
Compensation and Legal Implications
In addition to the capital sentence, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay compensation of ₹10 lakh to each of the 33 victims. The classification of the case as "rarest of rare" reflects the legal threshold required for awarding capital punishment, which is reserved for offences considered exceptionally grave in nature. This verdict underscores the judiciary's commitment to stringent action in cases of child sexual abuse, setting a precedent for future proceedings under the POCSO Act.
