Bangalore:
There is an increase in the involvement of minors in criminal activities in the city.
The lure of easy money and a luxurious life attract minors to crime. Criminal gangs often employ children to carry out their nefarious activities, since minors seldom invite the attention of the police.
A senior police officer said one out of every 10 accused persons in the city was a minor. "Juveniles join hands with gangsters and local anti-social elements, and they operate in all police station limits in the city," he said on the condition of anonymity.
The police officer said the juvenile delinquents were those who had separated from their families. "We spoke to the parents of those minors arrested under various charges. Their parents told us that the boys had fled the house during their school days," he said adding that most parents had requested the police to arrest their wards for the offence committed.
Criminal gangs rope in minors for various reasons. By recruiting more people, they could show off their strength to rivals. Additionally, engaging minors in crime would help gangs escape police, in case the juveniles were held.
"We cannot interrogate minors even if they are in our custody. We have to send them to the juvenile homes. Hence, we are unable to track down the people who are behind the minors. So, many criminals use juveniles to commit offences such as murder, robbery, dacoity and also for peddling narcotics in the city," another officer said.
The officer added that gangsters offered money and vehicles to minors to attract them.
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