Juvenile Offences Increase by 2.7 Percent in 2023, Delhi Leads in Rate

Juvenile crime in India saw a 2.7% increase in 2023, with 31,365 cases registered nationwide, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report. The national crime rate for juveniles rose slightly from 6.9 to 7.1 per one lakh children, with Delhi recording the highest rate at 41.1, significantly above the national average. The NCRB, a key agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs since 1986, compiles crime statistics to inform law enforcement and policy. This rise highlights ongoing challenges in addressing youth delinquency, particularly in urban centres.

In 2023, authorities apprehended 40,036 juveniles across these cases, with 34,674 linked to Indian Penal Code (IPC) violations and 5,362 to Special and Local Laws (SLL). The report notes that 79% of apprehended juveniles (31,610) were aged 16 to 18, reflecting a trend where older adolescents are more likely to engage in criminal activities. Factors such as peer pressure, economic hardship, and limited access to education are often cited as contributors. The data underscores the need for enhanced rehabilitation programmes to steer at-risk youth toward productive paths.

Regionally, trends varied. Madhya Pradesh led in total cases with 3,619, down from 3,795 in 2022, while Maharashtra reported 3,970 cases, a decline from 4,406. However, Bihar saw a sharp rise from 1,052 to 1,818 cases, and Tamil Nadu’s cases increased from 2,607 to 2,999. Among Union Territories, Delhi’s 2,278 cases, slightly down from 2,340, accounted for the majority. High crime rates were also noted in Chandigarh (36.7), Puducherry (27.4), and other regions like Chhattisgarh (17.6) and Haryana (17.3), while populous states like Uttar Pradesh (1.8) and Bihar (3.8) had lower per capita rates.

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Property crimes topped IPC offences, with 6,557 thefts, 2,015 burglaries, and 1,030 robberies, including 903 thefts and 210 robberies in Delhi. Crimes against the human body totalled 11,967, including 5,836 hurt cases, 995 murders, 977 rapes, 1,476 attempted murders, 931 kidnappings, and 811 assaults on women. Other offences included 842 cases of public tranquillity disruptions, like rioting (693), and 175 forgery-related cases. States accounted for 28,452 cases (rate of 6.6), while Union Territories contributed 2,913 (rate of 25.2), signalling the need for targeted juvenile justice reforms.

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