GANGS GROOM MINORS FOR MAJOR CRIMES

CAPITAL HORROR In 2 years Delhi cops catch 5,000 juveniles, many involved in contract killings, kidnappings & arms cases

- Ajay Kumar

IN JUNE, Paschim Vihar property dealer Amit Kochar was shot dead by Surya gang for failing to pay ₹`1 crore in ‘protection money’. The kingpin was at the spot, keenly watching the shooters that included a minor.

In May, Mohit Mor was gunned down by three assailants, including a 17-year-old who committed the sensational crime to prove his ‘credentials’ to Nandu gang that he had joined a month before. The gang wanted a relatively unknown face to bump off the TikTok star over a property dispute in South Delhi.

These two are not isolated cases. They are actually part of a horrific trend of Delhi gangs headhunting minors (who have committed petty offences) in the name of protection from arrest or enemies, and ‘live-training’ them for contract killings and kidnappings.

“The juvenile who killed Mor had joined the gang as he had made some enemies while committing petty crimes. He wanted protection,” said DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav.

Juveniles’ confessions to cops reveal how they had to execute big crime ‘assignments’ to secure place in organised gangs. It’s a safe bet for gangs to go for ‘catch ’em young’ as minors are likely to be let off easily when caught. No wonder, juveniles have taken Delhi’s crime scene by storm.

In the last two years, about 5,000 of them have been caught for various crimes. In 2019, only till October, the Delhi Police caught 2,050 juveniles involved in various cases. The figure for the entire 2018 was 2,930.

Minors are also involved in arms trafficking. “In November last year, cops caught a juvenile who used to deliver arms consignments after receiving them from a racket in Mathura. He enjoyed good rapport with gangsters in Outer Delhi, Rohini and Dwarka that’s turning to be a hotspot for gunrunners,” said a police officer.