MMS Recording Case! Uttar Pradesh POCSO Court Orders Capital Punishment in Minor Abuse Case

A special POCSO court in Banda has ordered the death penalty for a couple who created and sold pornographic videos of minor children from Chitrakoot on the dark web six years ago. The ruling ends a long trial into one of Uttar Pradesh’s most serious documented child sexual abuse and online exploitation cases.

The court held junior engineer Ram Bhavan, posted in the Irrigation Department, and spouse Durgavati guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, the POCSO Act and the Information Technology Act. Section 377 of the IPC was applied because the offences took place before the Supreme Court read down that provision.

POCSO court child pornography case: Death sentence and compensation orders

The POCSO court sentenced both Ram Bhavan and Durgavati to capital punishment. The court also directed the Uttar Pradesh government and the Union government to pay Rs 10 lakh each to families of every identified survivor. The order highlighted organised online abuse and stressed strict consequences for those producing or circulating such content.

POCSO court child pornography case: CBI investigation and arrests

The Central Bureau of Investigation took over after reports of child sexual abuse surfaced in Banda, Chitrakoot and nearby districts. CBI officers arrested the couple in October 2020. During the investigation, Durgavati also came under separate accusation for trying to influence witnesses linked to the case, according to the agency.

POCSO court child pornography case: Victim profile and abuse pattern

Investigators said the couple targeted children aged between five and sixteen years from their neighbourhood and wider social contacts. The children were allegedly lured, then sexually assaulted, while the acts were recorded on mobile phones and other electronic devices. The charge sheet additionally carried statements from people aged between four and twenty-two years.

POCSO court child pornography case: Seizures and digital evidence

During searches at the couple’s home, the CBI collected cash, gadgets and storage devices, which later formed crucial digital evidence in court.

Forensic experts found large volumes of child sexual abuse material on the seized devices. According to the CBI, the couple circulated and sold the videos and images through encrypted services and darknet platforms to buyers, including customers based outside India. A person from Delhi was also arrested in connection with these transactions, and enquiries are still continuing.

The CBI identified 33 child victims during the early phase of the probe, and officials said more individuals came forward later with statements. The Banda POCSO court’s judgment signals a strong legal response against online child exploitation networks and underlines that severe penalties can follow, even years after such crimes are committed.