New Delhi: The CBI arrested UP Engineer’s wife “Durgavati” on the allegations of morethan 50 children sexually abusing over the past 10 years. Her husband “Ram Bhavan” was arrested in November on charges of child sexual abuse and sharing, or selling, photographs and videos of such material to pedophiles around the world via the darknet, said CBI officials.

Durgavati has been sent to judicial custody till January 4. According to the CBI officials the abused children, who are between five and 16 years old, came from three districts across the state – Banda, Chitrakoot and Hamirpur. Raids on the accused’s residence unearthed eight mobile phones, ₹ 8 lakh in cash, sex toys, a laptop and other digital evidence, including a large volume of child sexual abuse material. Scrutiny of e-mails indicated he was in touch with others (Indians and foreign nationals) to share CSAM.

During interrogation the accused told investigators he bribed the children with mobile phones and other electronic gadgets to ensure they stayed silent about his activities. The darknet – which the accused used to sell or share child sexual abuse materials – refers to a hidden network within the internet that can only be accessed with specific software configurations and is used to exchange pornographic content or engage in other illegal activities.