Nagpur: The Maharashtra govt will urge the Centre to reduce the age threshold for juvenile offenders from 18 to 16 years, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in the assembly on Tuesday, amid rising concern over alleged involvement of minors in serious crimes and drug peddling.Fadnavis said the state was also considering tougher legal provisions against individuals and organised gangs accused of using children to commit crimes, warning that existing protection under juvenile laws were being misused by criminal elements.The issue was raised during Question Hour by MLA Arjun Khotkar, who flagged the growing tendency of minors being drawn into criminal activities. BJP MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar also participated in the discussion.Fadnavis referred to a recent incident in Latur involving minors, describing it as a family dispute. He said the investigation was ongoing, and juveniles found involved were produced before Juvenile Justice Board, per legal procedure.In response, govt plans to appoint a high-level committee to recommend legal and administrative measures.The CM said the govt was examining the possibility of invoking stringent organised-crime provisions against gangs and individuals found using minors in criminal operations, including narcotics trafficking. He indicated existing laws may also be amended to make enforcement more effective.Minister of state for home Yogesh Kadam added the state govt was already implementing preventive and rehabilitative measures to curb juvenile crime across the state. He said the police are regularly conducting awareness programmes in schools and colleges involving students, parents and teachers. Preventive patrolling and surveillance are also being intensified in sensitive areas.
