A special POCSO court has sentenced a former government engineer and his wife to death for sexually abusing 33 boys over a decade and recording and selling child abuse material online.

In a landmark verdict that underscores the severity of organised child exploitation, a special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Banda district, Uttar Pradesh, on 20 February 2026 sentenced Ram Bhawan, a former junior engineer in the state’s Irrigation Department, and his wife, Durgawati, to death for sexually abusing 33 minor boys and producing and disseminating explicit material over the dark web across multiple countries.

The court described the couple’s crimes as falling into the “rarest of rare” category, citing the long duration, breadth of abuse, and systematic nature of the offences.

Decade of Abuse, Global Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material

According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which took over the case after an Interpol alert in October 2020, the couple targeted boys aged between three and sixteen years from economically vulnerable families in Banda, Chitrakoot, and neighbouring areas.

They allegedly gained the children’s trust by offering money, food, mobile phones, online games and gifts, before subjecting them to aggravated penetrative sexual assault, recording the abuse on electronic devices and then selling the content online to buyers in as many as 47 countries.

Prosecutors presented a 700-page chargesheet supported by meticulous digital evidence, forensic analysis, medical reports and over 74 prosecution witnesses, including recorded testimonies from more than 50 children.

Some victims suffered serious physical injuries, required hospitalisation, and continue to grapple with long-term psychological trauma. Medical experts involved in the investigation noted that several survivors had lasting complications, including eye injuries and psychological disorders.

Judge Pradeep Kumar Mishra observed in his sentencing order that the scale of harm and moral depravity demonstrated by the accused left no scope for reform and warranted the capital punishment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and multiple provisions of the POCSO Act, the Information Technology Act, and related statutes.

The court also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to provide ₹10 lakh in compensation to each victim and to distribute money seized from the accused’s residence equally among survivors.

Investigation, Evidence and Court Proceedings

The case first came to light after Interpol flagged child sexual abuse material (CSAM) circulating on encrypted networks, which was traced back to mobile numbers linked to Ram Bhawan. The CBI registered an FIR on 31 October 2020, and arrested Ram Bhawan on 18 November 2020, with Durgawati taken into custody shortly thereafter. Investigators seized mobile phones, laptops, hard drives, pen drives, cash, and recording equipment from the couple’s home.

Medical examinations of the children were carried out with sensitivity towards their emotional well-being, with counselling and support arranged through child protection authorities. Forensic experts played a key role in ensuring the integrity of digital evidence, which included thousands of photographs and videos of abuse, later linked to international distribution.

During the trial, which lasted several years, defence counsel challenged aspects of the evidence, but the court found the totality of corroborating testimony, expert reports, and digital records decisive in establishing guilt beyond reasonable doubt. Statements from the children and medical professionals helped lay bare the psychological and physical toll exacted by the abuse, driving home the gravity of the crimes for the judiciary.

Broader Implications

Legal experts say the case highlights the growing menace of online child sexual exploitation and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking encrypted and dark-web dissemination of illicit material. The involvement of international agencies, like Interpol, and the use of cutting-edge forensic technology demonstrate how cross-border cooperation is essential to tackle such crimes.

Child rights activists have welcomed the verdict, saying it sends a strong message about the zero tolerance for sexual crimes against children and the judicial resolve to hold perpetrators accountable.

“This judgement reflects the seriousness with which our legal system views the protection of children and the need for punitive and deterrent measures,” noted a child protection specialist. However, activists also caution that prevention, community education and stronger safeguards online are equally vital to curb future offences.

Mental health professionals emphasise that justice must be complemented with robust rehabilitation frameworks for survivors, including long-term counselling, educational support, and reintegration assistance.

The physical and psychological wounds inflicted on the victims some of whom were as young as three may persist for years or decades, underscoring the importance of holistic care beyond courtroom outcomes.

A Test of Legal Resolve and Social Conscience

This case stands out in India’s judicial history for the severity of punishment one of the few times the death penalty has been imposed under the POCSO Act for sexual offences that did not include murder. The court’s characterization of the acts as “rarest of rare” reflects the combined scale of harm, duration of abuse and international dimension of exploitation.

For the families of survivors, the verdict has brought a measure of relief, though many acknowledge that true healing will take years. “Justice being done gives us strength,” said one parent, “but we hope our children receive the care and support they need to overcome what they have endured.”

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

At a time when digital platforms have made the world smaller, they have also provided new avenues for exploitation of the vulnerable. This judgement is a stark reminder that law, technology and human empathy must work in tandem to protect children from harm not just punish offenders.

We must invest in preventive education, community vigilance, and robust online safeguards that shield children from predators while fostering environments where survivors feel supported in breaking their silence. In seeking justice, society must also nurture compassion and restoration.