Juvenile crimes on rise in Gujarat, over 1,700 cases recorded last year

Gujarat has witnessed a worrying rise in crimes committed by juveniles, with official figures indicating that more than 1,700 juvenile offences were registered in the state over the past year.

Data show that a total of 1,993 boys and 18 girls below the age of 18 were apprehended in connection with 1,711 criminal cases. This means an average of approximately 18 juvenile offenders are recorded daily across Gujarat.

Under Indian law, any offence committed by a person who has not attained the age of 18 is classified as a juvenile crime, and such cases are dealt with through corrective and reformative measures rather than punitive action.

Sources said that although in the past juvenile offenders were mostly involved in crimes such as theft, assault, rape and even murder, the nature of offences has changed significantly in recent years. Complaints relating to serious crimes committed for money, misuse of social media to harass others, obsessive one-sided relationships, and offences linked to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and other addictions are steadily increasing.

Experts attribute the sharp rise in juvenile crime to growing social isolation among children, driven by excessive use of mobile phones and digital platforms. Adolescents aged between 15 and 18 are increasingly drawn towards a lifestyle centred on luxury, appearance, money and online visibility, fuelled by social media exposure, officials said.

Families, too, are bearing the impact, with many reporting behavioural problems and conflicts at home. Issues such as misuse of money and technology, an obsession with social media fame, family disputes, emotional neglect and strained relationships within separated families are being cited as key factors contributing to juvenile delinquency in the present era.

To address the issue, Gujarat currently has 26 observation homes and 107 children’s homes, where efforts are made to rehabilitate and reform children in conflict with the law through counselling, education and skill development programmes.