Eye injuries, psychological trauma and years in hospital: UP couple gets death sentence for sexually assaulting 33 children

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• Couple sentenced to death for sexually assaulting 33 children
• Court orders Rs 10 lakh compensation for each survivor
• Crimes occurred in Banda and Chitrakoot from 2010 to 2020

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In a significant ruling, a special court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in Banda has sentenced a couple to death after convicting them of sexually assaulting 33 children over a span of several years. The court described the matter as “rarest of rare” on the basis of unparalleled depravity and systemic nature of their crimes.

The convicts, identified as Rambhawan and his wife Durgawati, were found guilty under multiple provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The charges included unnatural offences, aggravated penetrative sexual offences, child pornography and criminal conspiracy, among others.

The court directed the state government to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to each survivor. It further ordered that any money recovered from the residence of the accused be distributed equally among the survivors.

The case was registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation in October 2020 against Rambhawan and others following allegations of sexual abuse of children. During the probe, investigators found evidence of repeated sexual crimes. Some survivors, officials said, suffered injuries to their private parts and a few required prolonged hospitalisation lasting years. Reports indicated that several children sustained eye injuries, while many continue to grapple with psychological trauma.

According to the investigation, the offences were committed in Banda and Chitrakoot between 2010 and 2020. Rambhawan was employed as a junior engineer in the Department of Irrigation and allegedly used access to online video games, along with money and gifts, to lure children.

Officials said the investigation was conducted with sensitivity towards the minor survivors. Medical examinations were carried out and counselling was arranged to safeguard their emotional well-being. The probe involved coordination between forensic and medical experts handling child sexual abuse cases and child protection authorities. Investigators also ensured proper handling and preservation of digital evidence, which contributed to what was described as a watertight case.

The CBI filed a chargesheet in February 2021 against Rambhawan and Durgawati, culminating in the recent verdict awarding capital punishment.