Rise in Violent Crimes committed by Juveniles

Context

Recent global and domestic incidents, have sparked difficulty over the sharp rise in violent crimes devoted by juveniles in India.

Key Highlights

• Overall decline but developing violence: The general number of juveniles in conflict with the regulation declined from 37,402 in 2017 to 33,261 in 2022.
• Nature of violent crimes: These consist of homicide, rape, grievous harm, assault, arson, theft, and dacoity. Non-violent crimes like robbery or cheating had been excluded from this category.
• Geographic distribution: Madhya Pradesh accounted for 20% of all such instances 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 youth violence, barring exceptions like Odisha, wherein only 10% of minor crimes were violent.

Factors Contributing to the Rise in Heinous Juvenile Crimes

• Digital exposure: Rise in incel subculture, cyberbullying, and publicity to violent content material, specifically among adolescent boys.
• Familial and social forget: Lack of emotional guide and steerage during youth – a vital development level.
• Poverty and unemployment: Juveniles from economically weaker backgrounds lack access to quality education, or employment.
• Substance abuse: Easy access to alcohol, drugs, and inhalants contributes to impulsive and competitive behaviour.

Steps Taken by India

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Allows juveniles aged 16–18 years to be attempted as adults for heinous crimes after evaluation by the Juvenile Justice Board.
• Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS): Centrally subsidized scheme presenting 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 address on-line grooming, cyberbullying, and digital dependence among adolescents.

What are the Challenges?

• Ineffective coverage implementation: Despite the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, there are gaps in rehabilitation, counselling, and tracking mechanisms.
• Stigmatisation and lifetime social exclusion of young offenders post-incarceration.
• Lack of gender-precise data and interventions, especially regarding women involved in or sufferers of minor crimes.

Steps had to curb juvenile crimes

• Strengthen Early Intervention: Mandatory psychosocial help systems in schools are required.
• Reform Juvenile Justice System: Increase investment and education for Juvenile Justice Boards and CWCs.
• Community-Based Rehabilitation: Engage local NGOs, network leaders, and children mentors.
• Regulate Digital Spaces: Implement age-suitable content rules and promote digital literacy among teens.
• Data-Driven Policy Making: Disaggregated statistics by age, gender, region, and type of offence to tailor interventions.

Conclusion

• The consistent rise in violent crimes committed by juveniles in India displays deeper sociological, mental, and systemic flaws. 
• While hard laws alone cannot clear up the issue, a holistic approach focusing on prevention, rehabilitation, education, and community engagement is the need of the hour.

Source: The HT

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Q. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, consider the following: (2010)

1. The Right to Development
2. The Right to Expression
3. The Right to Recreation

Which of the above is/are the Rights of the child?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (d)

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