India, April 3 -- The arrest of 17-year-old 'Barkya' has once again brought to the fore the increasing involvement of juveniles in organised crime and the urgent need for intervention. Not only was Barkya - named so due to his short height - part of the underworld, he was at the helm of a gang involved in serious offences such as extortion, robbery and attempted murder.

Hailing from Tarawade Vasti in Hadapsar, Barkya's criminal record dated back five years but it was in the last three years that he emerged as a major player, actively orchestrating criminal activities. According to police records, Barkya commanded a network of seasoned criminals directing operations involving theft, intimidation and violence despite his young age. Having ...