Terming these crimes as ‘rarest of the rare’ cases, the POCSO Court said that it is an extraordinary and heinous crime which has no scope for reformation, and judicially stringent punishment is necessary to meet the ends of justice.
उप्र: 33 बच्चों के यौन शोषण कांड़ में दंपति को सजा ए मौत, पीड़ितों को मुआवजा
A special court in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district on Friday sentenced Ram Bhavan, a former junior engineer with the state irrigation department, and his wife Durgavati to death for sexually abusing 33 minor boys (some as young as three years old) over a decade. The court also directed the government to pay a compensation of ₹10 lakh to each victim.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, terming these crimes “rarest of rare” cases, found Ram Bhavan and his wife Durgavati guilty of sexually abusing children and creating child sexual abuse material between 2010 and 2020. The two accused circulated over 200,000 objectionable videos and images of the victims to approximately 47 countries via the internet.
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge (POCSO) Pradeep Kumar Mishra convicted the couple under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Special Public Prosecutor Saurabh Singh said he was found guilty of several offenses, including aggravated sexual assault, use of children for pornographic purposes, possession of child pornography, and abetment and criminal conspiracy.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said in a statement that the subordinate court also directed the Uttar Pradesh government to pay compensation of ₹10 lakh to each of the 33 victims. The investigating agency said, “The court ordered that the cash seized from the accused’s house be distributed equally among the victims.” The court termed these crimes as “rarest of rare crimes” due to their unprecedented brutality and nature.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Ram Bhavan, a resident of Naraini town in Banda district, was living in a rented room in Chitrakoot district, where the crimes were committed. The investigating agency reported that his wife was allegedly assisting him. The prosecutor said that court records show that the accused physically and mentally abused minors for several years by luring and threatening them. The objectionable material was allegedly used for blackmail and other criminal activities.
The court said, “Such crimes not only destroy the lives of children but also shake the moral foundations of society. Any leniency in such cases will send a dangerous message.” The court added, “Given the widespread abuse of this nature in several districts and the gross moral turpitude of the perpetrators, this is an extraordinary and heinous crime that leaves no room for reform, and judicially stringent punishment is necessary to achieve the ends of justice.” The court directed the state government and relevant departments to take “concrete steps” for the rehabilitation, psychological treatment, and secure future of the victims.
On October 31, 2020, the CBI registered a case against Ram Bhavan and other accused on charges of sexual exploitation of children, using children for pornography, and producing and disseminating child sexual abuse material on the internet. A CBI spokesperson said, “During the investigation of the case, it was revealed that the accused had committed various crimes, including severe sexual assault, on 33 minor boys (some of whom were as young as three years old).”
She said the investigation also revealed that some of the victims had suffered injuries to their genitals during the sexual assault. “Some of them remained hospitalized. Some of the victims have become blind in one eye. The victims are still grappling with the psychological trauma inflicted by the perpetrators,” the spokesperson said. He stated that these sex offenders were active in the areas around Banda and Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh between 2010 and 2020. Ram Bhavan used various methods to lure children, including providing online video game play and offering them money or gifts.
He was exposed during the CBI’s monitoring of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on the Internet. The spokesperson stated that the investigation was conducted with sensitivity towards the minor victims and their emotional well-being was ensured through counseling.
The spokesperson stated that smooth coordination was ensured with forensic experts, medical experts handling child sexual abuse cases, and child protection officers during the investigation. The investigation also ensured the preservation and maintenance of digital evidence. Within a few months of taking over the case, the CBI filed a charge sheet against Ram Bhavan and his wife on February 10, 2021. Singh stated that the prosecution examined 74 witnesses during the trial.
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