Memories of horrific incidents like the Nirbhaya case in Delhi will always remain unforgettable. Unfortunately, similar tragedies continue to be reported in both urban and rural areas across all states, without exception. Incidents of gang rape involving young girls from scheduled castes or scheduled tribes occur. Some cases involve individuals who deceive girls under false identities and then rape them. Often, these perpetrators record these horrific acts, blackmail the victims, and even subject them to repeated assaults. There are instances of girls being coerced into marriage. Their refusal leads to their murder and their bodies disposed of in a remote place.
Investigations reveal that many of these acts are committed by juveniles aged 16 -18. In addition to gang rapes, rapes, dacoities, and murders, there are reports of juveniles involved in rash and drunk driving in luxury cars, often resulting in the deaths of innocent pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. These incidents invariably provoke public outrage, with a demand for an explanation from law enforcement and questioning the government’s effectiveness in addressing these issues. Often, public anger escalates to demands for the immediate execution of the accused, even if the suspect is a juvenile. Data compiled by the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) from all states reveals an increasing number of incidents involving juveniles aged 16 to 18 as suspects. According to the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA) 2015, a person below the age of 18 is considered a juvenile. The JJA stipulates that minors aged 16 – 18 be treated as adults when involved in heinous crimes. Heinous crimes are those offenses that warrant punishment for more than seven years.
Several factors contribute to juvenile delinquency, including the absence of care and affection from parents due to division in the family, large families, and poverty. Urbanisation and easy access to the internet expose children to inappropriate and pornographic content. Advertisements, TV/OTT serials, and cinemas also have an adverse impact. In red-light areas, children are often forced out during business hours, leading them into bad company and the use of illegal substances. Additionally, adolescent boys may steal to impress their friends and meet their needs.
Analysis of undertrial juveniles reveals most come from deprived backgrounds, having dropped out of school or attended irregularly. Lacking education and vocational skills, many work as casual labourers. Due to dysfunctional families, these children lacked mental or social support. Their family situations involved poverty, forced child labour, inadequate parenting, continuous stress, or crises like death, desertion, etc. Moreover, NCRB data shows that drug addiction is leading to an alarming rise in serious crimes among children from affluent families.
Although these children might have broken the law, police officers must remain sensitive to their circumstances. As the Commissioner of Police in Nagpur, I ensured they received counselling and school enrolment, if eligible. Others received vocational training, helping them become responsible individuals contributing to their families’ income. The police should seek action from the Juvenile Justice Board against the parents of such children and safeguard them from adult offenders who might coerce them into crime. Collaborating with voluntary organisations, child psychiatrists, child guidance clinics, social care workers, and probation officers is crucial to address the root cause of juvenile delinquency. Efforts should be made to identify at-risk, destitute, and neglected children before they become delinquent. Regular patrolling in urban areas prone to delinquency should be organised.
My initiatives for recreational programmes, like sporting events, holiday camps, and band displays created enthusiasm and engagement among the community.
(The writer is a former DGP, Maharashtra. Views personal )
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