New Delhi:
In a landmark judgment, a special POCSO court in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district has sentenced a couple to death for sexually assaulting 33 children, some as young as three years old. The court described the crimes as “rarest of rare” due to their extreme brutality and systematic nature.
The convicts, Rambhawan and his wife Durgawati, were found guilty under multiple provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including aggravated penetrative sexual assault, unnatural offences, child pornography, and criminal conspiracy.
Compensation for Survivors Ordered
The court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay ₹10 lakh as compensation to each survivor. It also ordered that any money recovered from the convicts’ residence be distributed equally among the victims.
CBI Investigation Revealed Widespread Abuse
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case in October 2020 after allegations of large-scale sexual abuse surfaced. Investigators found that the couple had been targeting children across Banda and Chitrakoot districts between 2010 and 2020.
According to the probe, Rambhawan, who worked as a junior engineer in the state’s irrigation department, used money, gifts, and access to online games to lure minors. The crimes left several children with severe physical injuries, including damage to their private parts and eyes, while many others suffered long-term psychological trauma and required years of hospitalisation and counselling.
Watertight Case Built With Forensic and Digital Evidence
The CBI said the investigation was conducted with extreme sensitivity towards the minor survivors. Medical examinations, psychological counselling, and coordination with child protection authorities were ensured. Digital evidence was preserved and analysed to strengthen the prosecution’s case, leading to the filing of a chargesheet in February 2021.
Court: No Scope for Reform, Death Penalty Necessary
In its judgment, the court said the scale and cruelty of the crimes reflected “unparalleled depravity and extreme moral turpitude,” leaving no scope for rehabilitation. It ruled that the death penalty was necessary as a judicial deterrent to serve the ends of justice.
CBI Reaffirms Commitment to Protect Children
CBI sources reiterated that child sexual abuse and exploitation cases remain a top priority for the agency. They stressed the organisation’s continued commitment to identifying offenders and safeguarding the rights and dignity of children.