Bulandshahr / New Delhi. In a significant development in the high-profile Bulandshahr gang rape case, the Special Court for POCSO cases has convicted all five accused. Delivering the verdict on Saturday, December 20, 2025, the court held that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt. The court will pronounce the quantum of sentence on December 22, 2025.
The five convicted accused have been identified as Juber alias Sunil alias Parvej, Sajid, Dharamvir alias Jitender, Naresh alias Sandip Baheliya, and Sunil Kumar alias Sagar. The case involves charges of gang rape, dacoity, wrongful confinement, and aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor.
Investigation Handed Over to CBI on Allahabad High Court Orders
The case originates from FIR No. 838/2016, registered at Kotwali Dehat Police Station, Bulandshahr district, in 2016. Considering the gravity and sensitivity of the crime, the Allahabad High Court, through its order dated August 12, 2016, transferred the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Acting on the court’s directions, the CBI re-registered the case and carried out an extensive investigation, including scene reconstruction, recording of victim statements, collection of medical and forensic evidence, and examination of eyewitnesses.
The Crime: What Happened
According to the CBI, the case pertains to a heinous and brutal incident. It was alleged that five to six armed assailants abducted a family of six members at gunpoint, looted them of cash and jewellery, and subsequently illegally confined them in nearby agricultural fields.
During captivity, the accused raped two victims and committed penetrative sexual assault on a minor child. The offence attracted multiple stringent provisions relating to gang rape, dacoity, illegal detention, and sexual offences against children under the POCSO Act.
Chargesheets and Trial Proceedings
Upon completion of the investigation, the CBI filed its first chargesheet on November 5, 2016, against three accused persons before the court of the Additional District & Sessions Judge-cum-Special Judge (POCSO), Bulandshahr. A supplementary chargesheet was later filed on April 18, 2018, against three additional accused.
During the pendency of the trial, one accused died in judicial custody, following which proceedings against him were abated.
Over the course of the prolonged trial, the prosecution examined dozens of witnesses and relied upon medical, forensic, and documentary evidence to establish that the crime was pre-planned, collective in execution, and marked by extreme brutality.
Sentencing on December 22
Pronouncing the conviction order, the Special POCSO Court observed that the offences were of an exceptionally grave nature. The court has fixed December 22, 2025, for hearing arguments on sentencing and for announcing the quantum of punishment. The convicts may face life imprisonment or other stringent sentences under applicable laws.
Legal experts view the verdict as a strong reaffirmation of judicial accountability in cases involving sexual violence and crimes against children, underscoring the courts’ commitment to protecting victims’ rights.
In its official statement, the CBI said the judgment reinforces public faith in the rule of law and sends a clear message that crimes against women and children will be dealt with firmly and without leniency.
