Nagpur is currently grappling with an alarming spike in crime cases involving juvenile delinquency, as revealed by the recent data obtained from the city police. Approximately 467 young offenders are actively engaging in criminal activities within the city, primarily involving theft and burglary and even body offences. This concerning trend poses a significant challenge to the law enforcement agencies and for citizens. Between January 2022 and May 2023, a staggering 413 criminal cases were registered against the juvenile offenders. Among these cases, 131 were related to theft. More troubling is the involvement of 141 victims caught in legal conflicts with these young lawbreakers, further highlighting the impact on the community.

 

Further analysis of the data reveals, Zone V of City police stands out as the epicenter of the problem, with 156 children involved in 133 registered cases. Zone IV closely follows behind, with 144 juvenile criminals implicated in 125 crimes. Zone I ranks third, with 61 crimes and 65 identified juvenile offenders. Zone III recorded 55 juvenile offenders involved in 47 crimes, while Zone II had 47 offenders engaged in 47 crimes. Zooming in on specific areas of concern, Nandanavan Police Station emerges as the most problematic, having registered a shocking 39 cases involving 42 young lawbreakers. Kalmana Police Station closely follows with 38 crimes solely involving juvenile offenders. MIDC Police Station also reported a significant number of cases, with 33 instances involving juvenile delinquents.

 

Yashodhara Nagar and Jaripatka Police Stations registered 28 and 35 cases, respectively. Other police stations, including Hudakeshwar, Ajni, Kapil Nagar, Sadar, Pachpaoli, Wathoda, and Imambada, have also been affected by various cases involving juvenile offenders. The gravity of the situation becomes even more visible when examining the specific criminal activities involved. Juveniles were found to be involved in 21 attempted murder cases, posing a serious threat to public safety. Additionally, nine cases involved juveniles in actual murder incidents, reflecting a disturbing escalation in violent behavior. Robbery and burglary emerged as major offences, with 23 and 52 cases registered, respectively. Furthermore, 116 cases of injury were recorded, indicating a concerning level of violence within the juvenile population. Juvenile delinquents were also implicated in 131 cases of theft and 69 cases classified under 'Others'. A retired police official expressed deep concern over the rise in such crime, calling for prompt action from authorities. This is a social problem and all government agencies should work together to address the issue, he said.