Dr. Panneerselvam, former state president of the Tamil Nadu Psychiatric Association, has expressed concern over the increasing rate of juvenile crime in the state, highlighting that Tamil Nadu ranks fourth in the country in this category.
According to him, juveniles (those under the age of 18) make up 33% of India’s population, with 6-7% involved in criminal activities. Among them, 80% are male and 20% are female. Tamil Nadu follows West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar in juvenile crime rates and leads among southern states, with 16.4% of its youth engaged in criminal activities. A study conducted last year revealed that violence and drug abuse are growing concerns among juveniles.
The study found that out of every one lakh juveniles, 17% exhibit aggressive tendencies, leading them to engage in physical attacks. Additionally, 44% have a habit of provoking others with verbal abuse, while 15% struggle with misconceptions about sexuality. Alarmingly, 50% of children aged 14 to 18 have used drugs at least once, and observations from mental health centers suggest that substance abuse is becoming a serious issue among youth.
Dr. Panneerselvam pointed out that factors such as parental conflicts, exposure to alcohol and smoking, bad company, and living conditions contribute to juvenile delinquency. He stressed the need for parents and teachers to closely monitor children’s behavior and emphasized that training programs are being conducted to address these concerns.
Juvenile Crime On The Rise In Tamil Nadu
Juvenile crime cases in Tamil Nadu have increased, with 2,607 cases reported in 2022, compared to 2,212 cases in 2021. Nationally, Tamil Nadu ranks fourth, while Maharashtra tops the list with 4,406 cases, followed by Madhya Pradesh (3,795 cases) and Rajasthan (3,063 cases).
According to NCRB data, the most common juvenile offenses in Tamil Nadu include:
- Theft – 548 cases
- Assault – 425 cases
- Rash driving – 208 cases
- Murder – 102 cases
- Attempt to murder – 101 cases
Additionally, under Special and Local Laws (SLL), Tamil Nadu recorded 238 cases under the POCSO Act and 33 cases under the Prohibition Act.
Legal Outcomes and Background of Juvenile Offenders
Among 3,287 juveniles arrested in 2022:
- 170 were released during investigation
- 35 were sentenced to imprisonment
- 510 were acquitted or discharged
- 1,044 were sent home with parental supervision after counseling
- 751 were placed in special homes
- 189 were fined
In terms of education and family background:
- 1,782 came from families where parents had studied up to higher secondary level
- 769 belonged to families with education beyond higher secondary
- 2,955 juveniles lived with their parents, while 146 were pavement dwellers
Chennai Among Top Metro Cities in Juvenile Crime
Among metropolitan cities, Chennai recorded 521 juvenile crime incidents in 2022, up from 496 in 2021, making it the second highest after Delhi, which reported 2,336 cases in 2022. The previous year, Delhi had 2,618 cases, showing a slight decline.
Experts stress the urgent need for intervention through education, counseling, and stricter monitoring to curb juvenile crime and prevent young individuals from falling into delinquency.
(With inputs from Dinamalar)
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