CM Fadnavis Vows Stringent Action Against Crimes in City

Fadnavis also said action against pan shops and courier services has been taken for their role in drug peddling

- HT Correspondent

MUMBAI: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis informed the Legislative Assembly that 70% of the accused in the Koyta (scythe) gang-related cases are juvenile offenders and they commit these crimes for thrill and craze to be referred to as 'dada'. While admitting that narcotics are used to drag these adolescents into the criminal acts, the CM stated that the government will prosecute their handlers holding them responsible for the criminal activities.

Fadnavis said that there are nine cases registered of the Koyta gang attack in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad involving 19 accused. He said that 13 are juvenile offenders and there is no gang involved in these activities though the pattern of the crime is similar.

"Most of these accused are 15-16-year-olds, though it does not appear to be an organised crime pattern. The Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita has the provision of booking the handlers of these juvenile offenders. The handlers and the brain behind these criminal cases will be booked as prime accused," he said.

NCP's Hadapsar MLA Chetan Tupe said that children are used in criminal activities by keeping them under the influence of drugs.