Maharashtra records highest juvenile crimes in 2022, reveals NCRB Report
The latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) ‘Crime in India Report’ reveals that there has been a marginal decrease in juvenile crimes, dropping from 31,170 cases in 2021 to 30,555 in 2022. While this reduction is a positive sign, the need for continuous vigilance and effective intervention remains paramount.
The report sheds light on the geographical distribution of these incidents, highlighting Maharashtra as the state with the highest number of juvenile crimes, recording 4,406 cases. Following closely are Madhya Pradesh with 3,795 cases and Rajasthan with 3,063 cases.
Among the offenses committed by juvenile offenders, attempted murder took the lead, closely followed by rape charges. This disturbing trend emphasizes the need for comprehensive measures to address the root causes of such violent behavior among the youth. The crimes committed further extended to offenses like kidnapping and homicide.
Delving deeper into the socio-educational background of the juveniles involved, the data reveals that a staggering 2,682 of the apprehended juveniles were reported as illiterate. Additionally, 8,191 juveniles had received education only up to the primary level, while 17,926 had education ranging from above primary to matric. Furthermore, 7,919 juveniles had completed their education from above matric to higher secondary, and 1,062 had education levels beyond higher secondary.
While the decrease in overall juvenile crimes is a positive development, the prevalence of serious offenses demand targeted attention. This data story serves as a call to action for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and educational institutions to collaborate on holistic strategies that aim to rehabilitate juvenile offenders and create a more just and secure society.