The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over the increasing use of children in crime. The court stated that the involvement of minors in alcohol, drugs, arms smuggling, and violent incidents is a serious offense. The court emphasized the need to reconsider the age limit and uncover larger networks through police investigations.
Delhi: The Delhi High Court stated that criminals are exploiting children in criminal activities by involving them in alcohol, drugs, arms, and violent incidents. During the hearing, the court stated that a minor cannot be both an accused and a victim at the same time. This issue came to light in a case registered against an accused named Narendra for illegal liquor smuggling. The court strictly instructed the police to investigate thoroughly to expose any potential larger networks. The High Court also advised reconsidering the age limit and amending the law in response to this serious trend.
Delhi High Court's Concern
The Delhi High Court has stated that criminals are using minor children in alcohol, drugs, arms smuggling, and violent incidents. The court made this remark while dismissing an anticipatory bail petition in a case where the accused, Narendra, was accused of using a minor in illegal liquor smuggling. Justice Girish Kathpalia stated that using children in this way for illegal activities is a more serious crime than liquor smuggling itself.
The court expressed concern over the growing trend and stated that continuous cases have forced society to reconsider the age of minors and amend the law. The court indicated that strict steps need to be taken to protect children and fix the responsibility of criminals in such cases.
Reconsideration of the Age of Minors Necessary
During the hearing, the Delhi High Court stated that criminals are using minors not only in the smuggling of alcohol and drugs, but also in the supply of weapons and ammunition, including serious violent incidents. The court said that this trend is forcing society to reconsider setting the age of children and amending the law.
The High Court cited the Juvenile Justice Board's directive, which stated that a minor cannot be made both an accused and a victim at the same time. Following this, the police registered a case against the accused Narendra. The court emphasized the need to protect children and fix the accountability of criminals.
Police Should Investigate Seriously
The Delhi High Court stated that it is necessary for the police to investigate whether a larger network is involved in activities using children and whether other such cases have also been registered against the accused. The court said that considering the seriousness of the matter, police custody interrogation of the accused is necessary to expose the entire network.
The court clarified that granting anticipatory bail in such serious cases is not appropriate and strict action is necessary. This makes it clear that administrative vigilance is necessary in protecting children and fixing the responsibility of criminals.
