Chicago – February 27, 2026
In a chilling revelation from Banda district of Uttar Pradesh, a husband-and-wife duo has been sentenced to death for operating one of India’s most disturbing child exploitation rackets. The case, which investigators have compared in scale and severity to the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein, has shaken the nation.
According to official reports, the accused, Ram Bhavan, a former junior engineer in the state’s Irrigation Department, and his wife Durgavati, were found guilty of sexually abusing 33 children over a period of ten years (2010–2020). The couple reportedly produced and distributed more than 200,000 explicit videos, which were later traced to 47 different countries.
Investigators revealed that the couple lured children aged between three and eighteen years with treats such as toffees, chocolates, and video games before committing the assaults. The crimes were carried out in a rented room in Chitrakoot, where the duo lived and operated their illegal activities.
The case came to light after Interpol alerted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2020. Following a detailed investigation, a formal case was registered, and 74 witnesses were presented before the court. After considering the overwhelming evidence, the court delivered its verdict, describing the case as one of the “rarest of the rare” and sentencing both accused to capital punishment.
Authorities have urged parents to remain vigilant and safeguard their children against online and offline exploitation. Law enforcement agencies are also intensifying efforts to curb child pornography and trafficking networks linked to international digital markets.
