State govt may lower drug crime age to 16

MUMBAI: The state government is exploring whether the age of criminal responsibility for drug peddling can be reduced to 16 years to curb cases of children being used in the crime, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in the state assembly on Monday.

- Surendra P Gangan

Replying to a calling-attention motion on the issue of drug peddling in Maharashtra, Fadnavis said his government would consult with the Centre to check if existing laws can be amended to plug loopholes that allow children to be used in drug peddling. He added that the government is also chalking out a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the deportation of foreign nationals involved in the crime.