Juvenile Delinquency Statistics in India
In the year 2014, a total of 33,526 cases (under IPC) were
registered against children below 18 years of age, as against a total number of
28, 51,563 cases registered in the country.Is the foundation for this
regressive policy change sound?
Statement of Objects and Reasons:
“…increasing cases of crimes committed by children in the age group of 16-18
years in recent years makes it evident that the current provisions and system
under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, are ill
equipped to tackle child offenders in this age group. The data collected
by the National Crime Records Bureau establishes that crimes by children in the
age group of 16-18 years have increased especially in certain categories of
heinous offences.” Committee on the Rights of the Child has made recommendations to: 30
State Parties to abolish life imprisonment for child offenders. 50 State Parties to stop treating juveniles as adults and to
amend their laws to ensure that all children are dealt with under the juvenile
justice system.106 State Parties to ensure the separation of juveniles
from adults during detention The UN Human Rights Council has also called on
States to ensure that legislation and practices do not permit life imprisonment
for offences committed by persons under 18 years of age in two separate
resolutions and the UN General Assembly has encouraged States to consider
repealing all forms of life imprisonment including life imprisonment “with the
possibility of release for offences committed by persons under 18”.In January
2013, concern was expressed about the continued detention of child soldiers by
the US in detention facilities
in Iraq & Afghanistan. US was urged to ensure that “all children under the
age of 18 be handled by the juvenile justice system in all circumstances and
presume young persons to be children if in doubt regarding their age.”
Percentage of Juvenile Crimes to Total
Crimes, 2013
• From 2003-2013, the percentage of juvenile crimes to
total crimes has marginally increased from 1.0% to 1.2%.
• The percentage of juvenile crimes to
total crimes remained constant at 1.2% in 2013
Children between 16-18 years apprehended for
‘heinous offences’ in 2013
“When I look at so many
leaders in our country, I feel and know that many of them have made many
mistakes – big and small in their lives. Yet, have they not turned their lives
around and become leaders and are they not doing great things for our country?
Please give young people a chance and we will also show you what good we can do
for this country. Please do not kill
our spirit and hopes by sending us to jail. Help us, guide us, advise us,
support us and show us the right path – don’t condemn us to a life in jail.
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