Chandigarh police have apprehended a staggering 599 minors for their alleged involvement in various criminal activities over a near six-year period, revealing a concerning pattern of juvenile delinquency in the Union Territory. The data, spanning from January 1, 2020, to November 5, 2025, includes serious offences such as murder, attempted murder, rape, and violations of the Arms Act.
Geographic Hotspots and Profile of Offenders
Police analysis indicates that a significant proportion of these juveniles were apprehended from rehabilitated colonies and peripheral villages. Areas like Ramdarbar, Burail, Maloya, Dhanas, Sector 25 Colony, New Indira Colony, and Maulijagran featured prominently in the records. Officials noted that most minors involved in criminal activities hail from the city's outskirts and are typically school dropouts, having discontinued their education.
The police station-wise breakdown paints a clear picture of the areas most affected. Maulijarban police station recorded the highest number of apprehensions at 78, followed closely by Sector 31 police station with 70 and Sector 11 police station with 68. Other stations with high figures include Sarangpur (49), Maloya (48), and Mani Majra (44).
Breakdown of Crimes and Sensational Cases
A deep dive into the data reflects a disturbing trend of minors being involved in grave offences. Between 2020 and November 2025, UT Police apprehended 186 juveniles for heinous crimes including murder, attempted murder, rape, sexual molestation, and dacoity. Furthermore, 220 minors were held for property crimes like robbery, burglary, snatching, and theft. Another 116 were detained for rioting and assault, while 77 were booked under miscellaneous offences and special local laws.
Several high-profile cases during this period underscore the severity of the issue. In a recent judgment, the Chandigarh district court on December 16, 2025, sentenced three juveniles for the murder of a man in Ramdarbar. Earlier, on November 30, 2025, Maloya police arrested three juveniles among four accused for stabbing a 26-year-old man to death. Another gruesome incident on May 16, 2025, saw Sector 31 police apprehend five juveniles for allegedly murdering an 18-year-old youth at a Ramdarbar park.
In a case highlighting the young age of some offenders, police on March 22, 2024, apprehended five minors under the age of 11 for allegedly stealing equipment worth Rs 1 crore from EV charging stations in Sector 42. Police said the children, tempted by quick money and not attending school, were from poor backgrounds.
Police Initiatives and Rehabilitation Efforts
In response to this growing concern, the UT Police have intensified efforts to guide such children and their parents, focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration. Authorities make additional efforts to facilitate the enrolment of these juveniles in educational institutions. Cases involving very young children are handled with special care and sensitivity.
To proactively curb delinquency, the police have been running special skill development initiatives. Programmes like Sahyog and Urja, launched in 2017 under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, aim to impart job skills to youths and children from impoverished colonies and villages. The Sahyog programme specifically targets school dropouts, juvenile delinquents, victims of crime, distressed families, and those at risk of substance abuse.
Beyond formal programmes, the department engages the youth through community activities. Annual gully cricket tournaments and other events are organized regularly to provide a positive outlet and steer children away from crime and drugs. These multifaceted approaches underscore the police's strategy to address not just the symptom but the root causes of juvenile crime in Chandigarh.
