Rise in Violent Crimes by Juveniles 

Syllabus: GS1/ Society, GS2/ Governance

Context

• Recent global and domestic incidents, have sparked concern over the sharp rise in violent crimes committed by juveniles in India.

Rising Trend in Juvenile Violent Crimes in India

• Overall decline but growing violence: The total number of juveniles in conflict with the law declined from 37,402 in 2017 to 33,261 in 2022.
  • However the share involved in violent crimes surged from 32.5% in 2016 to 49.5% in 2022 (NCRB, 2023).
• Nature of violent crimes: These include murder, rape, grievous hurt, assault, arson, robbery, and dacoity. Non-violent crimes like theft or cheating were excluded from this category.
• Geographic distribution: Madhya Pradesh accounted for 20% of all such cases between 2017 and 2022, followed by Maharashtra (18%), Rajasthan (9.6%), Chhattisgarh (8.4%), Tamil Nadu (5%), and Delhi (6.8%).
• Hotspot Regions: Central and Eastern India emerge as hotbeds of juvenile violence, barring exceptions like Odisha, where only 10% of juvenile crimes were violent.

Factors Contributing to the Rise in Heinous Juvenile Crimes

• Digital exposure: Rise in incel subculture, cyberbullying, and exposure to violent content, especially among adolescent boys.
  • Excessive social media use can increase aggression, mimicry of violent behaviour, and reduce empathy.
• Familial and social neglect: Lack of emotional support and guidance during adolescence – a critical development stage.
• Poverty and unemployment: Juveniles from economically weaker backgrounds lack access to quality education, or employment.
  • Peer pressure in informal settlements pushes youth towards gangs or criminal groups.
• Substance abuse: Easy access to alcohol, drugs, and inhalants contributes to impulsive and aggressive behaviour.

Steps Taken by India

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Allows juveniles aged 16–18 years to be tried as adults for heinous crimes after assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board.
  • Focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration through child-friendly procedures.
• Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): Centrally sponsored scheme offering institutional and non-institutional care, focusing on the prevention of child offences, counselling, and family reintegration.
• Digital Literacy and Cyber Safety Campaigns: Conducted by CBSE, NCERT, and Ministry of Education to tackle online grooming, cyberbullying, and digital addiction among youth.

What are the Challenges?

• Ineffective policy implementation: Despite the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, there are gaps in rehabilitation, counselling, and monitoring mechanisms.
  • Overburdened and under-resourced Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees.
• Stigmatisation and lifelong social exclusion of young offenders post-incarceration.
• Lack of gender-specific data and interventions, especially concerning girls involved in or victims of juvenile crimes.

Steps needed to curb juvenile crimes

• Strengthen Early Intervention: Mandatory psychosocial support systems in schools are required.
• Reform Juvenile Justice System: Increase funding and training for Juvenile Justice Boards and CWCs.
  • Ensure individualised rehabilitation plans with mental health services, skill training, and family counselling.
• Community-Based Rehabilitation: Engage local NGOs, community leaders, and youth mentors.
  • Promote restorative justice approaches that focus on repairing harm and reintegration rather than mere punishment.
• Regulate Digital Spaces: Implement age-appropriate content policies and promote digital literacy among adolescents.
• Data-Driven Policy Making: Disaggregated data by age, gender, region, and type of offence to tailor interventions.

Concluding remarks

• The steady rise in violent crimes committed by juveniles in India reflects deeper sociological, psychological, and systemic flaws. 
• While tough laws alone cannot solve the issue, a holistic approach focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, education, and community engagement is the need of the hour.

Source: TH