Written by Sakshi ChandNew Delhi | November 10, 2025 06:50 AM IST 3 min readSince June, police have opened around 66 ‘pink files’ to keep track of habitual juvenile offenders.In the last few months, local police in two localities in Central Delhi — Anand Parbat and Patel Nagar — would often find themselves responding to PCR calls ranging from complaints about street fights to knife attacks. However, on most occasions, it wasn’t adults behind the crimes, but minors.To put an end to crimes involving minors, police in June decided to chalk out a plan. Officers began to scan the background of the juveniles to ascertain how the gangs operated.Soon, they were able to get to the bottom of it. Four gangs—MJ gang, 78, Sarkar and Bhagat Singh gang—operated in the jurisdiction of two localities, with most members aged between 13 and 17.Since June, police have opened around 66 ‘pink files’ to keep track of habitual juvenile offenders.On the details of the investigation, Nidhin Valsan, DCP (Central), said, “Since June, 105 juveniles have been apprehended. Three individuals who had been involved in criminal activities since they were minors and continued it even after turning 18 have been externed as a preventive measure. Out of 51 identified as active juvenile members, 31 have been sent to observation homes.According to data provided by the Central District Police, in 2024, from January to October, 62 PCR calls were received regarding crimes involving juveniles in the areas of Anand Parbat and Patel Nagar, with 12 FIRs for attempt to murder being registered. However, the number of PCR calls tied to juvenile crimes dipped in 2025, standing at 33 during the first ten months of the year, while 15 FIRs for attempt to murder were filed.Upon seeing a rise in crimes involving juveniles, ACP, Patel Nagar, Sunil Kumar, said the police started to analyse the crime pattern in June.Story continues below this ad“Mostly it was quarrels, knife attacks and random fights that the juveniles were involved in. After scrutinising those involved, we dug deeper to check their family background as well. This only helped us understand why they were engaging in crime. Even parents were counselled and plans were made to fruitfully engage them in better activities.” He added that they have now decided to involve them in sports activities and conduct inter-gang matches.“We also looked out for job opportunities for the parents so that they can earn some money and lead a normal life. This also helped us counsel the juveniles involved, in a much better manner,” the ACP said.According to police, in addition to these enforcement measures, equal emphasis has been laid on counselling and rehabilitation.Juveniles are being referred to professional counselling and rehab programmes, while regular follow-up and mentorship are being ensured, officers said.Sakshi Chand is working as an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express. She has over a decade of experience in covering crime, prisons, traffic and human interest stories. She has also covered the communal clashes in Kasganj, Aligarh, Trilokpuri riots as well as the North-East Delhi riots. Apart from being a journalist, she is also a National level basketball player and a coach. Before joining the Indian Express, she was working for The Times of India. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Delhi Police