A special POCSO court in Bhopal has sentenced a 78-year-old former newspaper owner, identified in the report by the pseudonym Ramesh Pal, to 10 life imprisonment terms in cases involving the sexual abuse of five minor girls. The court has also imposed a fine of ₹77.64 lakh on the convicted man. His alleged associate, Salma Begum, also identified by a changed name in the report, has been sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for her role in facilitating the offences. According to Special Public Prosecutor P. N. Singh Rajput, the verdict was delivered under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Of the 10 life sentences, eight require the convict to remain in prison for the rest of his life, while the remaining two are ordinary life sentences. The court directed that all sentences run concurrently.

Job Offers Allegedly Used to Target Vulnerable Girls
According to the prosecution, the offences began in 2014, when the accused allegedly targeted minor girls from economically disadvantaged families by offering them jobs with a monthly salary of ₹10,000. Investigators alleged that the employment offer was used as a means to lure the girls and sexually exploit them. Salma Begum was accused of assisting him by bringing minors into contact with the principal accused and participating in the alleged conspiracy. The case highlighted concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable children through false employment promises. The prosecution presented evidence and witness testimonies to establish the allegations before the special court, which ultimately found the accused guilty in the cases covered by its judgment.

Case Came to Light During Counselling in July 2020
The case reportedly came to light in July 2020, when one of the victims disclosed her experience during a counselling session on July 11. According to the account presented by the prosecution, the girl had been invited to a flat in Bhopal’s Shahpura area on the pretext of attending a birthday celebration. She alleged that she was made to consume alcohol and subsequently sexually assaulted. Following her disclosure, the police began investigating the matter. During the investigation, several other minor girls reportedly came forward with allegations of abuse involving the accused and his associate. Their statements prompted a wider investigation into the alleged exploitation network.

Investigation and Evidence Led to Conviction
Bhopal Police conducted a detailed investigation and collected evidence in the case. According to the prosecution, chargesheets were filed against the principal accused, his alleged associate and other individuals connected with the matter. The special court considered witness statements and scientific evidence before reaching its conclusions. The sentences imposed on the principal accused and his associate mark the outcome of a case involving multiple victims and serious offences against children. The ₹77.64 lakh fine adds a substantial financial penalty to the punishment. The verdict also underscores the legal consequences of crimes involving the sexual exploitation of minors and the importance of reporting suspected abuse so that authorities can investigate and take appropriate action.