Nagpur: Eighteen adults were arrested for allegedly exploiting and pushing 14 minors into criminal activities. Eleven such crimes were registered across six police stations in south and east Nagpur so far this year.The offences where minors were allegedly used include vehicle theft (two cases), injury (two cases), sexual harassment of children (two cases), riot (one case), burglary and others, according to official details shared by office of DCP (zone 4) Rashmitha Rao. Police stations including Nandanvan and Hudkeshwar reported 3 cases each, Beltarodi (2), Ajni, Sakkardara and Imamwada (1 each), have started invoking stringent provisions of BNS against accused adults who used minors in offences.The additional charges under BNS section 95 have been applied in all these cases. This provision specifically targets adults who hire, employ or engage a child below 18 years to commit an offence. It mandates a minimum imprisonment of three years, which may extend up to 10 years, along with fine. The legal provision also mentioned that if the underlying offence is committed, the adult faces punishment as if they committed it themselves. “There is no provision for lesser sentence, making it a powerful deterrent,” said an official.Senior police officials emphasised that the move aims to break the cycle where adult criminals exploit vulnerable minors to evade stricter scrutiny, as juveniles often receive lenient handling under the Juvenile Justice Act. “The new law under BNS comes down hard on such exploitation,” said Rao.In addition to punitive action against adults, preventive measures are being taken against the parents or guardians of the minors involved. Under Section 136 (C) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, bonds are obtained from those standing surety (usually parents) to ensure good behaviour and control over the minors. “This provision places responsibility on adults to prevent minors from coming into conflict with the law,” said an official.“The initiative is expected to reduce juvenile delinquency by targeting the root — adult masterminds who push minors into crime for vehicle thefts, burglaries, riots and even sexual harassment cases,” said an official.
