From snatchings to rape, juvenile crimes in Gurugram see 15 per cent rise every year

Gurugram: In early June this year a juvenile, who was charged in the multiple cases of snatchings, was let-off by the juvenile justice board by asking him to plant over 50 saplings. This was one of the 10 cases that have been disposed of by the JJB this year, the conviction rate of the rest of the 40 cases are yet to be completed.

Crimes involving juveniles have witnessed a sharp increase in Gurugram. Just this year, over 50 cases have been registered in the Gurugram police station involving juveniles.

In 2018, there were 215 cases that involved juveniles. In most of these cases not only the juveniles were involved in cases of snatchings but there were also cases of ATM thefts, burglaries and even rapes. Every year the crimes by juveniles are increasing by 15 per cent. In 2018 there were 215 cases that were registered, in 2017 there were 156 cases that came to fore while in 2016 and 2015 the number of cases was 175 and 173. In a worrying trend for law enforcement officials, most of the gangsters are now employing the teenagers to carry out heinous criminal activities that involve taking out their rivals.

In January this year, Jaidev who used to be earlier associated with the dreaded gangs in Gurugram was gunned down. With this, the fears of gang war have again returned in Gurugram where in the past rival gangs did not hesitate in eliminating their rivals by shooting them dead on the busy streets. Three months since the murder, the Gurugram police along with Haryana STF arrested over 20 sharpshooters. Sixteen of them are in early and mid-20's but what is of major concern to law enforcement officials is nine of them are juveniles and teenagers. Strong community bonding and a yearning for a glamorous and powerful lifestyle often draw youngsters towards criminal activities.

"There is no denying the fact that today's youths are more aggressive, indecent and want to achieve it big through illegal means. Most of the juvenile first attempt petty crimes like snatchings, robberies and molesting. Because they are able to get away with it they attempt major crimes like murders and rapes," said a senior police official from Gurugram police.

"It is a matter of debate that why juveniles take up to the crime. In most of the cases, we have seen that youth do it because of adventure. In the counselling sessions, we mostly encourage the youngsters to have this daring attitude in the form of sports than in crime," the official added.