By H.L. Kapoor
Of late minors have been found committing not only petty offences. But also sensational crimes, Reports appearing in a section of the Press are a pointer that such crimes are being committed with unnerving frequency. These include thefts, burglaries, robberies, murders, attempt to murder, rape etc. Children tum criminals due to society’s neglect as also the environment under which they are brought up. The causes of children becoming criminals inter alia include lack of means to eam livelihood, lack of educational facilities, illiteracy, environments under which he/she is brought up, association with malcontents of society, excesses committed by a Particular group against the other, ‘unemployment, institution of false cases and malicious prosecution of innocent children, economic backwardness, etc. etc., Generally the children take to crime for money, Because of lack of educational facility, the children remain illiterate and fall easy Prey to unscrupulous persons who exploit them for their own interests. Finding easy flow of money working as couriers of smugglers and others, they get embedded in crime like drug trafficking, boot legging, gambling, immoral trap flicking in women, etc., Once they get into the “Webbers”” (the kingpin) net, it becomes difficult for them to get out of it. Needless to. Mention, taking to drugs and drinking does need money. In order to meet their immediate need for drugs when they become addict the grownup children take to crimes like stealing, robbery etc., Andin the process, they even go to. The extent of causing physical harm to their would be victims. To eam easy money they even kidnap young children for ransom. Success in a few cases to eam ransom money emboldens them to commits till more serious crimes. Once in bad company they (with their puberty age coming up) kidnap Minor girls and rape them to satisfy their lust. In some cases they even take photographs of the victims to blackmail them and their parents/guardians or kill them for fear of being identified.
Yearning for a luxurious life makes them desperate and they take to committing highway robberies or form a gang of youngsters (between 17/19 years) to commit house/bank robberies, etc., They visit the residential houses during day time under an assumed cover to rob the women folk in the absence of the males. Another factor which has indirectly led to an increase in adolescent crimes is the television or the cable media, the teenagers get the cue from the sexy/violent scenes or from kidnappings, robberies, being committed by the film stars. They develop an instinct to practice this which corrupts their young minds. The government therefore must ban exhibiting such films which excite the young minds. Generally the juvenile offenders are remanded to a Children’s Home. The directions for their Proper care and custody, as is known, exist only on paper. Very little is done to reform and Rehabilitate them. The authorities concerned must assume responsibility for “Correcting” these novices and stem the rot before it is too late. ‘The Bureau of Correctional Services which is supposed to look after such teenagers too has not comupt: the expectations. Where ever necessary the Services of psychiatrists may be pressed into action to coach, Advise, admonish the teenagers to become good citizens. Vocational institutions may be set up to enable the children to obtain expertise in order to earn a livelihood. ‘The police on their part must actives themselves to Rich sources of corruption like Smuggling, gambling must not escape their eyes. Pie See the police must ensure that excesses are not committed against a child by a Particular Group, The police officers must; also ensure that no person is falsely. Implicated in any crime.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 11, 1994
