Juvenile thief on the run, again

Less than a week after being apprehended during an attempted robbery in south Delhi’s Sarojini nagar area, the juvenile leader of the ‘fire brand’ gang is on the loose, yet again.

Less than a week after being apprehended during an attempted robbery in south Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar area, the juvenile leader of the ‘fire brand’ gang is on the loose, yet again.

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This time, he fled the observation facility with 27 of his juvenile accomplices.

According to police, the incident was reported around 10 pm on Sunday night from the Juvenile Justice Home located at Mukherjee Nagar in northwest Delhi.

“Last night, he and his accomplices dismantled the iron bars affixed to windows in the common bathing area and managed to escape,” said a police officer.

The mob took just a few minutes to storm out of the facility, police said. Those who attempted to get in their way were dealt with violently.

“Three of the four security guards who were on duty at the time were assaulted by the the gang,” the officer said.

“The guards were alerted by the commotion in the bathroom. A scuffle ensued in which three of them received minor injuries when they tried to stop the juveniles from escaping,” the officer said.

The incident, which is the third in six months, has raised questions on the efficiency of the security apparatus at Mukherjee Nagar’s Juvenile Observation facility.

“We are unequipped to handle these people. Most of them are hardened criminals beyond the age of 18, who
produce fake medical documents to enjoy their stay away from home,” a senior security official told Hindustan Times.

“What can four or five unarmed security officials do when confronted by 30 such hooligans,” he asked.

“We have initiated an inquiry into the matter,” said Manoj Paridha, Social Welfare Secretary, Delhi Government.

“We will make it a point to improve security at the facility, soon.”