Increasing juvenile crime paints a worrying picture by Amit Baijnath Garg

Increasing juvenile crime paints a worrying picture

Amit Baijnath Garg

To prevent juvenile crimes, there is a need for awareness and change in thinking. It will be more effective than a change in the law, requiring practical action on the ground. Juvenile crime is a sensitive issue and can only be prevented by taking it seriously.

Crimes are on the rise in Rajasthan. This situation paints a worrying picture. Crimes in the state are repeatedly making headlines across the country. Recently, the 2023 report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) was released. It shows an increase in various types of crimes in the state. Whether it's crimes against women or inhumane treatment of the elderly, all types of crimes have increased in Rajasthan. The report also states that crimes against children have also increased rapidly. Data from the NCRB report shows that states like Rajasthan, Assam, and Kerala have seen a worrying surge in cases of juvenile crimes.

Recently, in April 2025, a case of gang rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl came to light in Jaipur. In this case, the police arrested two accused while concealing the girl's identity. Meanwhile, in a government school in Bhilwara district, an 11-year-old girl went missing after arriving at school and her body was later found. The teacher and principal were suspected of rape and murder. In June 2025, a 7-year-old boy was kidnapped, ransomed, and later murdered in Alwar district. The accused was a family member. In September 2025, two children died under suspicious circumstances due to a drug scam at a government hospital in Bharatpur. This was followed by the death of a child in Sikar, followed by several other deaths.

The NCRB report points to shocking and horrific statistics. Between 2018 and 2022, Rajasthan recorded an average of 6,200 cases of child abuse each year, but in 2023, this number increased to over 10,500, representing a nearly 70 percent increase in child abuse. This increase is much higher than the Indian average of 25 percent. This is a serious sign for a large state like Rajasthan, but experts also believe that this may not be solely due to increased crime, but also due to more accurate and proactive reporting. The rise in juvenile crime cases is a major concern for the police.

The Rajasthan Police has also released some statistics regarding crimes in the state for 2024-25. According to the police, there has been a steady increase in juvenile crimes between January and June 2025. Of these, 1,631 cases were registered under the POCSO Act. More than 500 cases of child abduction or kidnapping were reported. Cases of cybercrime targeting children increased by more than 400 percent. Chargesheets were filed in only 53 cases. Of these, 186 cases were found to be fake. Investigations in more than 700 cases are still pending. These statistics clearly show that while juvenile crimes are rapidly increasing in the state, the police's workflow appears to be very weak. There is a dire need for the police to think and act swiftly in this direction.

The NCRB report states that crimes against children have increased rapidly in Rajasthan. The report shows that states like Rajasthan, Assam, and Kerala have seen the highest increase in cases in this category. In 2023, child abduction cases accounted for more than 54 percent of all juvenile crimes. These cases were often related to family disputes, the abduction of minor girls on the pretext of love affairs, or child labour. This means that one in every two cases in the state involved child abduction. Statistics show that Rajasthan has been at the forefront of juvenile crimes. This is a serious sign that needs to be addressed promptly. If this is ignored, the consequences will be even more worrying.

Social activists working to prevent juvenile crimes say that the increase in crimes against children in the state is worrying. Cases of child maltreatment have more than doubled from 2018 to 2023. The primary reason for the increase in violence against children is their increased access to social media. Another major factor is the increasing violence within families and the emergence of nuclear families. This issue is a matter of policy discussion. Experts believe that an increase in cases of maltreatment with children does not always mean an increase in crime. Improvements in police reporting protocols, strict enforcement of laws like POCSO, and awareness campaigns can also increase the figures. It is also important that society is now inclined to report such cases rather than suppress them, which is a positive sign.

The POCSO Act has changed the reporting landscape. In Rajasthan, the POCSO Act has significantly changed the classification of cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Before 2018, many cases were registered under the general Section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code, but now they are being registered under the correct category, Sections 4 and 6 of POCSO. This change has not only increased legal clarity but also revealed the true picture of crimes against children. While the number of such cases was approximately 2,700 in 2022, it increased to over 3,500 in 2023. This rate is steadily increasing.

The Rajasthan government has initiated work to address juvenile crimes by strengthening child protection units, expanding fast-track courts, and sensitizing cybersecurity units. The police have also been given important instructions to expedite their work in this direction. Social and non-governmental organisations are also running awareness campaigns regarding child safety. However, these efforts cannot be considered sufficient, as they are not achieving the desired results. Therefore, there is a need for awareness and change in thinking. It will be more effective than a change in the law, requiring practical action on the ground. Juvenile crime is a sensitive issue and can only be prevented by taking it seriously.

Amit Baijnath Garg is a senior journalist and writer from Rajasthan, India.