Source TOI
CHITRAKOOT – In a verdict that has sent shockwaves through the region, a special court has handed down the death penalty to a former junior engineer of the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department and his wife. The couple was convicted for the systematic sexual abuse of at least 33 minor boys and the subsequent distribution and sale of explicit videos on the dark web.
The Special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Court described the couple’s actions as a “blot on humanity,” noting the calculated and predatory nature of the crimes that spanned nearly a decade.
The Investigation and Arrest
The case first came to light in November 2020 following an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The lead perpetrator, identified as Ram Bhawan, used his position of authority and financial influence to lure children from impoverished backgrounds in the Chitrakoot, Banda, and Hamirpur districts.
Key details of the operation included:
Coercion: Victims were often lured with electronic gadgets, money, or threats.
Digital Distribution: The couple reportedly sold recorded material to international buyers via encrypted platforms.
Complicity: Bhawan’s wife was found guilty of actively assisting in the abuse and managing the logistics of the video recordings.
A Landmark Ruling
Judge Vineet Narain Pandey, presiding over the special court, emphasized that the severity of the trauma inflicted on the victims warranted the “rarest of rare” punishment. The court underscored that the couple did not merely commit a crime against individuals, but against the collective moral fabric of society.
“The calculated exploitation of innocent children for financial gain, coupled with the breach of trust by a public servant, demands the highest form of retribution under the law,” the court observed during the sentencing.
Summary of Charges
Convict Primary Charges Sentence
Ram Bhawan Aggravated Penetrative Sexual Assault, IT Act violations, Trafficking Death Penalty & Heavy Fine
Durga Devi Abetment of Sexual Assault, Criminal Conspiracy, IT Act violations Death Penalty & Heavy Fine
Support for Survivors
Local child welfare advocates have welcomed the verdict, though they stress that the road to recovery for the 33 identified victims remains long. The state government has been directed to ensure specialized psychological counseling and rehabilitation for all the survivors involved in the case.
