The stereotypical image of a criminal is far removed from a diligent-looking schoolboy (or girl). As offences by minors are swelling, experts feel a key reason for it is that they don’t arouse suspicion, and so feel they can get away with committing crime. In a recent case of gang rape of a 19-year-old DU student, two “underage” boys were
allegedly involved. One of them probably masterminded it. Then came the case in which a Class 12 student Zainab Nisha, daughter of a schoolteacher, was allegedly running an arms racket.
Perhaps being aware that it’s easy to slip off the net of doubt becomes a loophole, and they use the garb of innocence to find a way out. Agrees C.K. Sharma of Delhi Police, “It’s not easy to handle a case involving youngsters. A child is the last person you think can be a perpetrator of a heinous crime like rape or murder. The existing laws have tied the hands of police in many ways. For example, we can’t keep the record of children involved in minor crimes. Since they can escape the claws of the law easily, kids are misused by gangsters to carry out nefarious activities on their behalf.”
But what’s giving it a boost? “The crime rate in society is already escalating, and it automatically percolates down to the younger lot,” says clinical psychiatrist Dr Samir Parekh. “The entertainment industry is glamorising crime and violence. There is a huge socio-economic disparity in society today. The difference between the haves and have-nots is huge, which leads to hatred and envy. Small families and high stress is adding to the pressure. So, there is a lot of aggression in society,” he adds.
“Often youngsters are not aware of the repercussions and indulge in wrong doings on impulse, just out of curiosity or peer pressure,” says CBSC counsellor Ritu Dhingra. Schools need to come forward and impart life skills and teach them the importance of responsible decision making.
“Taboo has become a catchphrase for them, and they are just passive receivers of the information. There is a need for face-to-face counselling in schools, colleges and call centers. Politicians and educationists can reach out to pockets where petty crime flourishes,” she adds.