Current State Of Juvenile Crime Rate in Punjab

Crimes are the harsh reality of society. This grim reality has a deeper shade of darkness when society's children commit crimes. With all its glam, modern society has a glooming reality that comes across as Juvenile Delinquency.

Who Is A Juvenile Delinquent?

Juvenile Delinquent is someone who has committed a crime while under the age of 18. While the term can refer to any young person who breaks the law, it is often used to describe more serious offenders, such as those involved in violence or chronic crime.

There is no question that when a juvenile commits a crime, it is a poor reflection of society. It is especially true when the crime is one of violence. 

It is ringing alarming bells for every law-abiding citizen who wants to know 'Why' juveniles are going down the ill-begotten path of committing or attempting to commit the crime. 

Punjab is one such state in India that has become the breeding ground for an increase in Juvenile Crime Rate. As per a report submitted by Nityanand Rai on 14 Dec 2022, Punjab's crime rate is lower than in 16 other states, including Kerala and Delhi. But that is in no way a great sigh of relief, as a lot is to be done to ensure that the youth is engaged productively. 

Punjab generally has a constant rate of these IPC crimes in the following categories, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) of 2021: 

1. Assault 142 

2. Theft 52 

3. Murder 22 

4. Drug Offenses 24

5. The overall crime rate of juveniles in 2021 is 3.6%. 

Punjab as a state has to take a new perspective on juvenile crime's preventive and rehabilitative aspects. 

Punjab is expected to have a population of over 3.07 crore by the end of 2023, with a good no. of the population under 18. It means that many young people, especially young men, may become potential offenders due to social and economic factors contributing to juvenile crime. The state must address these factors to prevent further increases in juvenile crime.

Punjab is located in a region of India notorious for its high levels of violence. This violence often spills over into the lives of innocent bystanders, including children. Many children witness violence daily, which can lead to them becoming desensitized to violence and more likely to engage in violent behavior themselves.

In addition to witnessing violence, many children in Punjab live in poverty-ridden areas with limited access to education and opportunity. This lack of opportunity can lead to frustration and anger, which manifests in criminal activity. 

The state of Punjab needs to take a new perspective on juvenile crime prevention and rehabilitation. The state has to make effective strides toward reducing juvenile delinquency by addressing the social and economic factors contributing to juvenile crime. 

Punjab is a state known for valor and the truest spirit to fight with courage for a noble cause. The state has a long history of battles and wars, dating back to ancient times. In recent years, Punjab has waged a war against drugs and crime, and now it is time for the state to wage war against juvenile delinquency.

There are many reasons why Punjab should wage this war. Juvenile delinquency is a growing problem in India, with its significant presence in Punjab. This problem is not only affecting the youths of Punjab, but it is also affecting the state as a whole. It's time we do not rely only on the police administration and state agencies to combat this issue, but the onus must be on us too. It's a problem that we, as learned and law-abiding citizens must work on from the grass-root levels to ensure our children never tread on the ill-begotten path.

Author : Rohini Nijhawan

B.com,

MBA,

LLB,

LLM, Pursuing Ph.D. in Law