A special court on Friday awarded the death penalty to a married couple for their involvement in filming and selling sexually explicit videos of minor children on the dark web in Uttar Pradesh’s Chitrakoot district, bringing an end to a case that had remained under investigation for nearly six years. The verdict was pronounced by the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Banda following detailed hearings and examination of extensive evidence, marking one of the most serious child exploitation cases reported in the region.
The convicts, Ram Bhavan, who worked as a junior engineer in the Irrigation Department, and his wife Durgavati, were held guilty under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the POCSO Act, and the Information Technology Act. The court also applied Section 377 of the IPC, as the offences had been committed before the provision was read down by the Supreme Court. Considering the severity and organised nature of the crimes, the court imposed capital punishment on both individuals and directed the state and central governments to provide financial compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the families of the identified victims.
The investigation was conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which arrested the couple in October 2020 after reports emerged regarding child sexual abuse incidents across Banda, Chitrakoot, and nearby districts. Investigators revealed that the accused allegedly targeted children between the ages of five and sixteen from their neighbourhood and social circles. The victims were reportedly lured, abused, and filmed using mobile phones and other electronic devices, after which the recordings were stored and distributed online.
During searches carried out at the couple’s residence, the CBI recovered Rs 8 lakh in cash along with multiple electronic devices, including 12 mobile phones, two laptops, a hard disk, and six pen drives. Forensic analysis of these devices confirmed the presence of a significant quantity of child sexual abuse material, strengthening the prosecution’s case. According to investigators, the accused circulated and sold the videos and images through encrypted communication platforms and darknet networks, with buyers allegedly including individuals from outside India.
The initial phase of the investigation led authorities to identify 33 minor victims, while statements recorded in the charge sheet included testimonies from individuals aged between four and twenty-two years. Officials also alleged that Durgavati attempted to influence or intimidate witnesses during the course of the investigation, further complicating the legal proceedings. In connection with the case, a man from Delhi was also arrested, and authorities indicated that certain aspects of the investigation are still ongoing.
The court’s judgment highlights the seriousness of organised online child exploitation and sends a strong message regarding strict legal consequences for those involved in producing, distributing, or profiting from such illegal material, particularly when vulnerable children are targeted.
