Recently a 19-year-old St Stephen’s student robbed Reliance Mart to get funds for his studies. Records have many such cases registered. Experts tell Karan Bhardwaj it’s the lure of a luxurious rather than comfortable life that’s leading the youth to commit crime
They came from well-to-do families, scored well in exams and were known among their peers as bright and intelligent. It was tough to believe that they can plan a robbery or a kidnap. Examples are many. like a St Stephen’s student who recently looted Reliance Mart. A group of five had stolen five laptops, mobile phones, two cameras and the manager’s motorcycle. According to police, the 19-year-old boy, who masterminded the robbery is intelligent and well-versed in computer technology.
In another case a MBA student planned a kidnap of his 13-year-old cousin to recover money he lost in IPl bet. Such cases bring to light the fact that increasingly youth in Indian urban cities is taking law in their hands and committing crimes, mostly to get money. “They are governed by glamour and are dissatisfied by the money they get from their parents. They want to take an untrodden path to earn quick money, without parents having any information about it,” said psychiatrist Nikhil Raheja. According to Himanshu Roy, Jt CP, Mumbai Police, most of these youngsters are amateur and don’t have criminal backgrounds. “They are unaware of consequences. There are involved in new-age habits like betting and drugs which are demanding. You have to fulfill the demands at any cost. Money is a big factor. Youth is enticed by materialistic desires. Two years ago, we had a case where a boy murdered his grandmother to get her jewellery because he wanted to buy a motorcycle,” he said.
According to experts, youngsters are not unable to distinguish between right and wrong. “There is no communication or dialogue between parents and children,” commented A Sahsrabudhe, ex magistrate, Juvenile Justice Board from Mumbai. “There is whole lot of eroding value system. When there is crisis, there is no one they can turn to. If they are drawn to negative influences, which are also glamourised by media, there is no guidance,” she added.
Agreed Roy, “We are living in a star-struck age. Cinema doesn’t help. They glamourise the bad characters. Money and glamour are the two most important factors.”
Official statistics of government startle beyond imagination. Figures for Delhi by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) show that cases of juvenile delinquency under the total cognisable crimes committed under the Indian Penal Code have risen from 581 in 2001 to 751 in 2011 — a 29.25 per cent increase in 10 year.
NCRB data for Delhi suggests that cases of murder committed by people younger than 18 increased by 85 per cent between 2001 and 2011, robbery by 540 per cent, cheating by 211 per cent and theft by 51.46 per cent. The trend is consistent nationwide. In 2001, juvenile crimes in India were pegged at 16,509. In 2011, that figure stood at 25,125. As per research ‘The State of the Urban Youth India 2012: Employment, livelihoods, Skills’, published by Mumbai-based IRIS Knowledge Foundation (IKF), the rapid growth of the information highway has also led to cyber crime involving teenagers and youth. It is evident in records of Home Ministry as well. The latest data from NCRB shows incidences of cyber crimes (IT Act+IPC Sections) has increased by 57.1 per cent in 2012 as compared to 2011 (from 2,213 in 2011 to 3,477 in 2012). 61 per cent of the offenders under IT Act were in the age group 18-30 years (928 out of 1,522) and 45.2 per cent of the offenders under IPC Sections were also in the age group 18-30 years (248 out of 549). Experts blame handicapped education system. “What education are we talking aboutIJ They are literate but not educated. Degrees are on sale. They see parents are willing to buy it and so-called gurus are selling it. Where is the value systemIJ Nature of education comes under questions if that doesn’t take you away from bad influences. Swami Vivekanada has said education is manifestation of perfection in man. But we are doing the exact opposite. Students pursue studies just for the sake of certificate, that’s mandatory to get a job,” Sahsrabudhe said.
Sociologist Aruna Broota pointed out that there’s a shift in the focus of life. “When we were kids, we were duty bound. There was a control on our desires. But now we fight openly for rights,” she said. Raheja added, “Things like peer group support, family system have become a matter of past. Parental control is absent. Teachers cannot give corporal punishment. Now parents fight with school and take matters to the court.”As per the popular opinion, there’s no fear of law due to delayed justice.