As crimes by minors soar, retired cop calls for review of juvenile laws

Retired Delhi ACP Ved Bhushan called for an urgent review of juvenile laws, as he said criminals were taking advantage of the flaws and loopholes in the current system, and pushing children into crime as they knew they would not be strictly punished.

New Delhi: With as many as eight minors being held for crimes in the national capital on a daily basis, retired Delhi Police ACP Ved Bhushan called for an urgent review of juvenile laws.

According to data, around 1,400 minors have been held in Delhi for the past six months. The data suggests that on an average, eight minors are held everyday, with three of them accused of committing serious crimes.

Speaking on this issue of rising crimes by minors, retired Delhi Police ACP Ved Bhushan called for change in the current juvenile laws.

"The criminals have been taking advantage of the flaws and loopholes in the law, as they know minors cannot be given strict punishment. Many criminal families are pushing thier children towards crime for the same reason," Bhushan said.

No steps have been taken towards changing this, Bhushan said, adding that India could take a leaf out of other western nations, where even minors are dealt with based on the gravity of the offence committed.

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"It is time for the Parliament, and even people to demand a change in the laws. We urgently need to review the laws," he said.

Bhushan said that in the case of minors committing heinous crimes, their guardians should have some responsibility. "Hardened criminals who know the police system well, succeed in freeing the kids even after the crime," he said.

"The responsibility of the parents or guardians of the minors should be fixed. There has to be some kind of deterrent," he added.

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