With the increasing number of crimes in the national Capital especially by juveniles, the Delhi Police has decided to try 11 minors as adults in the outer north district of the city involved in heinous crimes like attempt to murder, murder and robbery among others.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (Outer North) Nidhin Valsan on Monday informed that while they had identified 52 juveniles accused of heinous crimes, 11 will be tried as adults in the outer North Delhi district of the national capital.
Juvenile justice has traditionally focused on rehabilitation, emphasizing that young offenders have a higher potential for change due to their cognitive and emotional immaturity. However, in response to a rise in violent crimes such as murder, rape, and armed robbery, several legal systems, including India’s, have adapted to allow minors aged 16 and above to be tried as adults in cases involving serious offenses.
Police said the district has undertaken a special drive aimed at creating a stronger and safer law-and-order environment for its residents. "As part of the special drive, a total of 52 juveniles, all between the ages of 16 and 18, have been identified for their involvement in heinous crimes, including robbery, snatching, murder, attempt to murder, and other such offenses. Recognising the gravity of these cases, 52 applications were moved to try them as adults. We got approval for 11 applications," Valsan said.
Sharing break-ups from different police stations of the district, the DCP said that they moved eight applications from the Bawana police station and one person will be tried as adult. Similarly, the NIA police station moved 20 applications out of which six will be tried as adult, four applications were moved by the Alipur police Station out of which one will be tried as major, eight applications were moved by the Samaypur Badli police station, of which one will be tried as major and 12 applications were moved by the Bhalaswa Dairy police station out of which two will be tried as major.
"Applications were subsequently submitted to the court, requesting that these juveniles be tried as adults, given the severity of their alleged crimes. As a result, these juveniles will now be treated as adults under the law and face trial accordingly," said the DCP.
He added that this decision marks a significant step toward ensuring that individuals who engage in such grievous criminal activities are held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, irrespective of their age.