Bhopal Horror: Newspaper Owner Pyare Miyan Gets 10 Life Terms
A Bhopal POCSO court has sentenced former newspaper owner Pyare Miyan to 10 life terms for the rape and sexual assault of five minor girls.
In a landmark judgment that underscores the severity of crimes against children, a special POCSO court in Bhopal has sentenced 78-year-old former newspaper owner Pyare Miyan to 10 terms of life imprisonment. The convict was found guilty of the rape and sexual assault of five minor girls, a case that revealed a calculated pattern of predation and exploitation.
A Trail of Trauma and Betrayal
The court, presided over by Judge Kumudini Patel, described the crimes as "very cruel and unbearable." The investigation uncovered a chilling modus operandi that Pyare Miyan had employed since 2014. He targeted young girls by exploiting their vulnerabilities, luring them with the promise of employment and a monthly salary of ₹10,000.
Once lured, the victims were taken to a flat in the Shahpura area, where they were subjected to horrific abuse. To ensure their silence and maintain control, Miyan utilized a combination of psychological and physical intimidation. Evidence presented in court revealed that he used hidden cameras to record the assaults for the purpose of blackmail and kept a pistol to terrify the victims into submission.
The Cost of Cruelty
The legal consequences for Miyan are extensive. Beyond the ten life sentences, the court has imposed a hefty fine of ₹77.64 lakh. In a poignant recognition of the lasting damage caused by these crimes, the court also ordered Miyan to pay ₹10 lakh in compensation to the parents of one victim who tragically died by suicide due to the trauma of the assault.
The prosecution, led by Public Prosecutor P.N. Singh Rajput, successfully proved the charges, noting that the severity of the sentencing reflects the gravity of the atrocities committed. Judge Patel emphasized that Miyan had not only violated the bodies of these children but had maliciously destroyed their futures by betraying their trust.
Accomplices and Acquittals
Pyare Miyan did not act alone. His accomplice, Rabia Bi, played a critical role in the operation by facilitating the crimes and bringing the minor girls to Miyan. For her involvement, the court has sentenced Rabia Bi to 20 years in prison.
However, the court acquitted five other co-accused individuals—Sweety Vishwakarma, Gulshan Naeem, Khurshid Alam, Avesh, and Anas—citing a lack of sufficient evidence to prove their involvement in the crimes.
A History of Predation
This is not the first time Pyare Miyan has faced the law for sexual offenses. He was previously convicted in 2022 for the sexual exploitation of his own step-granddaughter. That particular case is currently under appeal at the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
The current case came to light in 2020, leading to a manhunt that ended with Miyan's arrest in Srinagar in July of that year. His return to Bhopal eventually led to this sweeping judgment, bringing a semblance of justice to the survivors of his long-term campaign of abuse.