Couple Sentenced to Death for Sexual Abuse of 33 Children, Child Pornography
The Banda POCSO court terms the case “rarest of rare,” orders Rs10 lakh compensation for each survivor, citing extreme depravity and systematic abuse over a decade.
Staff WriterFeb 21, 2026, 10:42 AMA special POCSO court in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda has sentenced a couple to death for sexually abusing 33 children, some as young as three. The couple, Rambhawan and his wife Durgawati, were found guilty of multiple offences under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including aggravated penetrative sexual assault, unnatural offences, child pornography, and criminal conspiracy.
The court also directed the government to award Rs 10 lakh to each survivor and stated that any assets recovered from the accused should be distributed among them.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case in October 2020. Investigations revealed that the couple lured children using money, gifts, and access to online video games. The victims endured severe physical injuries, including some requiring long-term hospitalisation, as well as lasting psychological trauma. Several survivors suffered eye injuries, while many continue to cope with the mental scars of abuse.
The crimes were committed across Banda and Chitrakoot districts between 2010 and 2020. Rambhawan, a junior engineer in the Department of Irrigation, used his position and deceptive tactics to exploit minors.
The CBI ensured sensitive handling of the survivors, providing medical examinations, counselling, and careful preservation of digital and forensic evidence. A chargesheet was filed against the couple in February 2021.
Describing the case as “rarest of rare,” the court highlighted the unparalleled depravity, systemic nature, and sheer scale of the crimes, noting that the exceptional brutality left no scope for reform, necessitating the death penalty to meet the ends of justice.
The CBI reaffirmed its commitment to investigating and prosecuting cases of child sexual abuse, prioritising the protection of minors and upholding their rights and dignity.
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