NCJ Number
43808
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF CRIMINAL VIOLENCE IN INDIA ARE DISCUSSED, AND PENAL CODE PROVISIONS AIMED AT PREVENTING VIOLENT CRIME ARE CITED.
Abstract
CRIMES OF VIOLENCE IN INDIA ARE CLASSIFIED UNDER THE HEADINGS OF MURDER, KIDNAPPING AND ABDUCTION, DACOITY (ROBBERY INVOLVING FIVE OR MORE OFFENDERS), ROBBERY, AND RIOTS. OTHER CRIMES OF VIOLENCE FALL UNDER A MISCELLANEOUS HEADING, ALTHOUGH SEPARATE CLASSIFICATIONS FOR CULPABLE HOMICIDE NOT AMOUNTING TO MURDER AND FOR RAPE ARE BEING DEVELOPED. CRIMES OF VIOLENCE THAT HAVE POSED SERIOUS PROBLEMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN INDIA INCLUDE DISTURBANCE RELATED TO DOMESTIC CONFLICTS AND VOLENCE COMMITTED IN FURTHERANCE OF POLITICAL CREEDS. THERE HAS BEEN A MARKED INCREASE IN ALL CRIMES OF VIOLENCE IN INDIA FROM 1963 TO 1973. THE HIGHEST INCREASE (161 PERCENT) HAS BEEN IN RIOTS. THE RATE OF INCREASE FOR PARTICIPATION BY JUVENILES IN CRIMES OF VIOLENCE HAS BEEN MUCH GREATER THAN THE OVERALL INCREASE. ALTHOUGH ORGANIZED CRIME IS NOT AS EXTENSIVE IN INDIA AS IN THE UNITED STATES, INDIA DOES HAVE ITS SYNDICATES, SOME OF WHICH HAVE ACQUIRED RELIGIOUS AND POLITICAL OVERTONES AND/OR INTERNATIONAL LINKS. THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS BEARS ON CRIMES OF VIOLENCE IN INDIA, AS DOES A LIBERAL FIREARMS ACT LIMITING RESTRICTIONS ON INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP OF FIREARMS. THE IMPACT OF THE SIZE OF INDIA'S POPULATION AND THE AUTONOMY OF INDIAN STATES ON THE INCIDENCE OF VIOLENT CRIME IS NOTED. INDIA'S SUCCESS IN DEALING WITH THE CRIME OF DACOITY BY USING SOCIAL WORKERS TO PERSUADE GANG LEADERS TO SURRENDER IS NOTED. SUPPORTING DATA AND PENAL CODE CITATIONS ARE INCLUDED.