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India court sentences couple to death for sexual abuse of 33 children
The Special POCSO Court in UP described this as "a crime of such an exceptional and heinous nature that it leaves no room for reformation"
- PUBLISHED: Sat 21 Feb 2026, 10:42 AM UPDATED: Sat 21 Feb 2026, 4:49 PM
An Indian court has sentenced a husband and wife to death for the aggravated sexual abuse of 33 minor boys in what investigators described as one of the most disturbing child exploitation cases uncovered in recent years.
According to a press release issued by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday, the Special POCSO Court in Banda, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, awarded capital punishment to Rambhawan and his wife Durgawati for offences including aggravated penetrative sexual assault, using children for pornography, storage of child sexual abuse material and criminal conspiracy.
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Uttar Pradesh is India's most populous state, and Banda is a district in its southern Bundelkhand region. The abuse was reported to have taken place across parts of Banda and the neighbouring district of Chitrakoot between 2010 and 2020.
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The court also ordered compensation of Rs 1 million (approximately Dh40,500) to each of the 33 victims. In addition, it directed that cash seized from the accused's home be distributed equally among the victims, the CBI said.
The CBI registered the case on October 31, 2020, following allegations of sexual abuse, exploitation for pornographic purposes and dissemination of child sexual abuse material over the internet.
During its investigation, the agency found that the accused had allegedly subjected 33 male children, some as young as three, to various forms of abuse.
"The sheer scale of this victimisation across multiple districts, combined with the extreme moral turpitude of the convicts, marks this as a crime of such an exceptional and heinous nature that it leaves no room for reformation," the court observed while awarding what it termed the "rarest of rare" punishment, according to the press release.
Investigators said some of the children suffered physical injuries during the assaults, while others developed squint eye conditions after being forced to remain in uncomfortable positions. Some victims are still undergoing medical treatment.
The accused Rambhawan was working as a junior engineer in the state irrigation department. The CBI alleged that he used access to online video games, money and gifts to lure children.
The agency said it conducted a “meticulous and thorough investigation”, ensuring the preservation of digital evidence and coordinating with forensic experts, medical professionals and child protection authorities.
A chargesheet was filed in February 2021, and charges were formally framed in May 2023.
NDTV journalist Naghma Sahar, who has reported extensively on child rights issues in India, said the case underscores the need for early detection and stronger community vigilance.
“Cases like this show how abuse can remain hidden for years, especially when it happens within familiar surroundings,” Sahar told Khaleej Times. “We need stronger awareness in schools and communities so that children know how to report abuse safely, and parents recognise warning signs.”
She added that sentencing alone is not enough. “These children need sustained psychological and educational support to rebuild their lives.
India allows the death penalty in the “rarest of rare” cases. In recent years, laws have been amended to permit capital punishment in certain cases involving aggravated sexual assault of minors under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Priyank Kanoongo, former chairperson of India’s National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act is among the country's strongest legal safeguards for minors.
"The awarding of the death sentence in this case sends a strong message and reinforces the legal framework designed to protect children," he said.
The CBI said it remains committed to investigating and prosecuting cases involving child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Mazhar Farooqui, or Maz, is a multiple award-winning investigative journalist and Senior Editor at Khaleej Times. Renowned for exposing corruption and uncovering major scams, he is also the author of The Maz Files: Scoops, Scams & Showdowns.
