Maharashtra Mulls Lowering Juvenile Age To 16 In Narcotics Cases To Curb Use Of Minors In Drug Trade

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday (14 July) announced in the Maharashtra Assembly that the state government is considering reducing the juvenile age limit from 18 to 16 in drug-related cases to stop traffickers from exploiting minors, The Indian Express reported.

“It is true that minors are being used for this (drug peddling). We are working on two things—we are checking whether the definition of age limit of juveniles can be changed in such cases (of drug peddling) and can we lower the age by two years, on the lines of rape cases, (where the minor accused persons’ age limit as a juvenile has been reduced from 18 to 16 and now they can be prosecuted as a major),” Fadnavis said, responding to a calling attention motion in the Assembly.

He added that authorities are examining ways to legally establish direct links between adult peddlers and the minors they exploit.

“We are working on whether we can pinpoint the person who is using the minors, by tracing and establishing a link between them,” he said.

An Anti-Narcotics Cell official explained that minors often supply narcotics because even if caught, they face minimal punishment.

“The simple logic behind this is that even if minors are caught, they cannot be sent to prison and are sent to an observation home from where they are released on bail and again used in the drug trade,” the official was quoted as saying.

Fadnavis also revealed plans to apply the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against repeat drug offenders and highlighted concerns over foreign nationals, especially Nigerians, involved in trafficking.

“There is a provision for deportation, but many deliberately commit minor offences to avoid it. The Centre has been asked to pardon such minor offences so that deportation can take place,” he said.

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