The city police has been directed by the Delhi High Court to implement the Juvenile Justice Board's (JJB) earlier order asking it to probe and act against adult offenders for using children in offences like theft.
Disposing of a PIL, a division bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justice Manmohan in an order said "the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to Delhi police to ensure that guidelines issued by the Juvenile Justice Board 1 on January 25, 2011 are adhered to."
The court's order came on a PIL filed by advocate Anant Asthana alleging a large number of underprivileged juveniles were being forced to take up crime by organised gangs.
Taking note of a city based organised gang called "Thak-Thak" (knock-knock) gang, the JJB-1 had asked the Delhi Police to take action against adult criminals for using children for various offences including theft.
The PIL alleged organised gangs are using juveniles to commit crimes at the behest and command of adult perpetrators and "whenever minors are caught, they are dealt with under the provisions of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act but no action is taken against the main perpetrators who are influencing and directing them to commit crimes".
According to the plea, "the state and its instrumentalities should come forward with full might and determination to protect children who are being trapped into this circle of crime by adults due to their vulnerability, helplessness and tender age.
