Empire of Sin: Business was spread in 47 countries through dark web…Children aged between 5 to 16 years were the target.

Banda/Chitrakoot: The POCSO court has given a historic verdict in the country’s biggest ‘child pornography’ racket that has shaken Chitrakoot and Banda districts of Bundelkhand. Irrigation Department’s suspended junior engineer Ram Bhavan and his wife Durgavati were accused of sexually exploiting more than 50 innocent children and selling their videos on the dark web. Death penalty (hanging) Has been narrated. After being convicted on 18 February 2026, Judge Pradeep Kumar Mishra sentenced the duo to death, calling the act a ‘blame on humanity’.

Interpol’s digital alert exposes ’empire of sin’

This horrifying tale began in October 2020, when Interpol sent a digital alert to Indian investigative agencies. The alert said that child sexual abuse content (CSAM) is being uploaded internationally on a large scale from a remote area of ​​India. When the CBI followed this technical clue, the wires were connected to Ram Bhavan, an engineer posted in the Irrigation Department of Chitrakoot. An FIR was registered on 31 October 2020 and with the arrest of Ram Bhavan on 17 November, the face of this ‘Devil Couple’ was exposed.

Trap of gifts and greed: Children aged between 5 to 16 years were the target.

Investigation revealed that the couple used to choose their victims very cleverly. They used to lure children aged between 5 to 16 years from economically weaker families to their homes by luring them with toys, chocolates and money. Little did the innocent people know that the hands with which they were receiving gifts were going to make their lives hell. Ram Bhavan used to sexually exploit children and his wife Durgavati not only cooperated in this but was also involved in hiding evidence and threatening witnesses.

Business was spread in 47 countries through dark web

What was found in the CBI raid from the accused’s house shocked the officers. in recovered pen drive 34 creepy videos and 679 photos Found. Digital forensic investigation revealed that the couple used to sell these videos through ‘dark web’ to 47 countries including China, America, Brazil and Afghanistan. 8 mobile phones, laptops, webcams, sex toys and Rs 8 lakh in cash were recovered from the house, which were the earnings of this nefarious business.

Court’s strict comment: ‘Attack on the foundation of society’

74 witnesses testified during the trial. After looking at the evidence recorded in the 700-page charge sheet, the court accepted that this was not an ordinary crime, but a well-planned and international network. While giving the sentence, the judge said that when protectors become predators, then it is necessary to send a strong message to the society. The court awarded death sentence to the culprits as well as death sentence to each identified child victim. Compensation of Rs 10 lakh each Have also ordered to give.