Recenly, various undesirable incidents contributing to the deterioration of law and order in the country are increasingly being observed, and one of the major causes is the rising tendency of adolescents toward criminal activities.
This issue is no longer merely a source of family concern; rather, it has become a matter of national anxiety. A recent research report by the Law Commission presents a disturbing picture, showing that a large proportion—about 46 percent—of children involved in crimes are aged between 16 and 18.
The involvement of adolescents in serious crimes such as murder, rape, drug trafficking, and robbery has pushed the social system toward severe instability. In this situation, amending the existing child laws and redefining the age limits based on the nature of crimes has become an urgent demand of the time.
In Bangladesh, the definition of a “child” varies across different laws, creating significant confusion. According to the Children Act, 2013, all individuals under 18 years of age are considered children. However, the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000 defines individuals up to 16 years as children, and those above as adolescents.
Meanwhile, under the Majority Act, 1875, a person is considered an adult upon reaching 18 years of age. This inconsistency in the law is being exploited by cunning criminals and hardened offenders. They have realized that as long as they are under 18, even if they commit serious crimes, they can avoid strict punishment by taking shelter under child law.
Using this legal limitation as a shield, the patrons of “juvenile gangs” are employing impressionable teenagers to carry out heinous acts like hired killers.
Analysis of data shows that the majority of children in the Child Development Centers in Gazipur and Jessore are aged between 16 and 18, and many of them are accused of serious crimes such as murder. Adolescents of this age often possess physical and mental maturity comparable to adults and are capable of understanding the gravity and consequences of their actions.
Yet, the protective cover of the law is making them increasingly reckless. In a seminar organized by the Law Commission, 94 percent of participants supported revising the age limit. Therefore, considering the seriousness of crimes and the surrounding realities, the government should seriously consider lowering the age limit from 18 to 16 in cases of grave criminal offenses.
However, merely tightening the law will not solve the problem. The deplorable condition of child development centers is also contributing to the rise in criminal tendencies. Due to overcrowding, these institutions are often becoming places where children learn criminal behavior rather than undergo genuine reform, according to experts.
To free society and the state from this menace, it is essential to uproot the culture of juvenile gangs. Those who operate from behind the scenes and lead these children astray must be brought under the law as a priority.
In conclusion, child laws should be reformed in line with the modern world and in consideration of the country’s socio-economic context. Providing shelter to criminals in the name of child protection is in no way desirable. To curb juvenile crime, families, society, and the state must act together.
Closing legal loopholes, ensuring proper justice for juvenile offenders, and establishing true reform institutions should be the primary duties at this moment. Otherwise, the future will sink into a dark abyss, the burden of which the nation itself will have to bear.
