Couple gets death for sexually assaulting 33 children in India

A court in Uttar Pradesh has sentenced a couple to death after convicting them in a case involving the sexual abuse of 33 children, some as young as three.

The verdict was delivered by a special judge under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Banda district.

The accused, Rambhawan and his wife Durgawati, were found guilty under multiple provisions of the POCSO Act, including aggravated sexual assault, offences involving child exploitation material, and criminal conspiracy.

The court directed the government to pay Rs 10 lakh in compensation to each survivor. It also ordered that any money recovered from the convicts’ residence be distributed equally among the survivors.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case in October 2020 following allegations of child sexual abuse. During its probe, the agency found evidence of serious and repeated crimes committed between 2010 and 2020 in Banda and Chitrakoot districts.

Investigators reported that several children required long-term medical treatment and continue to suffer from physical and psychological trauma. Authorities ensured that the survivors underwent medical examinations and received counselling support during the investigation. The probe also involved coordination with forensic and medical experts and careful handling of digital evidence.

Rambhawan, a junior engineer in the Irrigation Department, allegedly used various means to lure children, including offering money, gifts, and access to online games.

The CBI filed its chargesheet against the couple in February 2021. The court described the case as falling within the “rarest of rare” category, citing the scale, gravity, and systematic nature of the crimes.

According to officials, the CBI reaffirmed its commitment to thoroughly investigating and prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse and prioritizing the protection of children’s rights and dignity.

NDTV/NSA