Scientist’s attacker on third visit to juvenile home

Hyderabad: The 16-year-old juvenile, accused in the recent stabbing case of a DRDO scientist is addicted to ganja and cigarettes. He is now at the Juvenile Observation Home in Saidabad for the third time.

Belonging to the lower economic strata, he was admitted to the observation home in February 2013 for 15 days, and again in April 2014 for 13 days for breaking the law. Experts and child rights group studying the case said that this reflected the state’s apathy towards the lower strata of the society and indicated a disconnect between societal and educational needs and the law and order structures.

The Centre for Wellbeing Economics, which is studying this case, has written to the home minister, DRDO and the DCP South Zone to initiate more measures to rehabilitate the juveniles and initiate counselling facilities.

“At an age when a juvenile must be studying and developing a personality, if he is still illiterate and a drug-addict, it sends a strong message to the state to consider how and where  the developmental dynamics are growing. He was let off two times without any prior or formal counseling,” said Lubna Sarwat, director, Centre for Wellbeing Economics.

The DRDO scientist, who nabbed the juvenile for snatching his mobile, didn’t foresee a near-death attack that landed him in hospital. “Juveniles with violent exposure, when released without any de-addiction measures, are sure to be trapped by more illegal forces. The police and the government must step in here and ensure that these activities are regulated,” she added.

In a representation to the state home minister, they mentioned the need for professional psychiatric counselling for all juveniles at observation homes, and for each police station to conduct anti-drug, anti-smoking and anti-liquor sensitisation drives within its limits and also start literacy drives in Below Poverty Line families to ensure quality education reaches them.