Adolescent Involvement in Crime: The Rising Concern in Bangladesh

Abstract 

Adolescent involvement in crime is a growing social concern in Bangladesh. Once viewed as the  bearers of hope and progress, many adolescents and young adults are now being drawn into  criminal networks and unlawful acts. From theft and drug trafficking to gang violence and  cybercrime, youth involvement in crime has become a troubling social phenomenon. Factors such  as family instability, poverty, gang involvement, school dropout, and exposure to negative media  and technology have contributed to the rising trend of delinquency among young people. This  trend poses significant risks to both society and the personal development of adolescents, often  leading to repeated offenses. Addressing this issue requires a combination of preventive measures  and rehabilitative strategies. This paper aims to explore the causes, consequences, and practical  approaches for preventing adolescent crime and rehabilitating young offenders to support their  reintegration into society. 

Keywords: Adolescent, Society, Crime, Rehabilitation, Causes, Recidivism, Prevention. 

Introduction 

Adolescence, the transitional period between childhood and adulthood, is a phase of intense  physical, emotional, and psychological change. During this stage, individuals are most vulnerable  to external influences and social pressures. In Bangladesh, a rising number of adolescents are  engaging in criminal activities, ranging from theft, robbery, and drug-related offenses to violent  crimes. Many adolescents who commit crimes become repeat offenders, creating cycles of  criminal behavior that are difficult to break. Addressing adolescent crime in Bangladesh requires  a multifaceted approach that combines prevention and rehabilitation. Prevention works to stop  crime by giving education, family care, and community support. Rehabilitation helps offenders  through counseling, skill training, and guidance so they can return to society and avoid repeating  crimes.

Legal Framework and Institutional Weaknesses 

Adolescent crime is often referred to as juvenile delinquency. Bangladesh has undertaken several  legislative and policy measures to address juvenile delinquency. Under the Children Act 2013, a  “child” is defined as any person under the age of 18.1 When such a child commits an offense, they  are considered a juvenile offender. These offenses range from petty theft and vandalism to more  serious crimes like robbery, sexual assault, and even murder. This Act established Children’s  Courts, probation officers, and prohibited the detention of juveniles in police cells with adults,  prioritizing rehabilitation. The National Child Policy 2011 of Bangladesh ensures that juveniles  (children under 18) in conflict with the law are treated with care, not punishment.2 

However, despite the progressive legal framework, the practical implementation remains weak.  Many adolescents are still tried as adult offenders due to age verification challenges and lack of  awareness among law enforcers. Juvenile courts and child-friendly facilities are limited, especially  outside major cities. Weak coordination among police, social services, and the judiciary delays  justice and rehabilitation. As a result, many young offenders experience harsh environments that  further criminalize rather than reform them. 

Major Forms of Adolescent Involvement in Crime 

1. Murder and Contract Killing: Adolescent involvement in murder and contract killing  has become an alarming issue in Bangladesh. Criminal networks often use adolescents as  contract killers because of their impressionable minds, lack of awareness of legal  consequences, and the assumption that juvenile offenders will receive lighter punishment.  Some youths are also motivated by the promise of money, social status, or protection from  gang leaders. 
2. Theft and Robbery: Theft and robbery are among the most common forms of criminal  behavior involving adolescents in Bangladesh. Youth-related thefts typically include  mobile phone snatching, shoplifting, and pickpocketing, while robberies often involve small gangs using motorcycles or local weapons. Many adolescents, particularly from  impoverished families, turn to theft to meet basic needs or to support drug habits.
3. Drug-related Offenses: Drug addiction remains one of the most pervasive causes of youth  criminality. Many young people begin as consumers and gradually become distributors to  sustain their addiction. 
4. Gang Violence: Adolescents are especially drawn to gang life because it offers them a  false sense of power, status, and protection in an environment where legitimate  opportunities are limited. In many cases, political groups or influential local figures use  adolescent gangs as instruments for carrying out illegal or violent tasks, such as contract  killing, enforcing strikes, attacking opponents, kidnapping, or controlling certain  territories.  
5. Cybercrime: The rapid digitalization of Bangladesh has brought both social progress and  a new wave of criminal behavior among its youth. Cybercrime, ranging from hacking and  identity theft to online harassment and digital fraud, has become a prominent form of  juvenile delinquency. 

Causes of Adolescent Involvement in Crime 

The causes of juvenile criminal activity in Bangladesh are multifaceted and interconnected.

• Psychological and Emotional Instability 

One of the most important indicators of juvenile delinquency is emotional instability. Exposure to  constant conflict or violence at home teaches them to view aggression as a normal response to  problems.3 Trauma, abuse, or lack of emotional support can result in aggression, depression, or  deviant tendencies that may lead to criminal behavior. 

• Lack of Education and School Dropouts 

When adolescents lack education or drop out of school, they lose guidance, discipline, and positive  social environments, which can lead them to engage in unlawful activities. 

• Poverty and Unemployment 

Economic hardship and unemployment push many youths to engage in theft, robbery, or other  crimes as a means of survival or to gain quick income.4 

• Drug Addiction 

Drug addiction is both a cause and a consequence of adolescent crime. Once addicted, adolescents  often commit petty crimes to finance their dependency. 

• Gang Culture 

Gangs exploit vulnerable youths by offering money or power, which becomes appealing to those  from poor or broken families. Exposure to gang culture normalizes criminal behavior, making it  hard for them to follow the law. 

• Negative Influence of Media and Technology 

Media and technology often play a major role in shaping young minds. Excessive exposure to  violence through television, films, and online content normalizes criminal behavior among  impressionable adolescents. Many juvenile offenses, such as blackmail or cyberbullying, originate  in online interactions. 

• Lack of legal knowledge 

Lack of knowledge about the law significantly contributes to juvenile delinquency in Bangladesh.  Many young people are unaware of legal boundaries and the consequences of criminal acts, as  legal education is rarely included in the school curriculum or community programs. This ignorance  leads them to engage in offenses. 

Recent Case Study 

Habil Khan, a teen, brutally murdered his sister-in-law in 2015. Under the provisions of the  Children Act, he was sentenced to nine years of imprisonment. He received bail in 2024 after  serving his sentence. In 2025, one and a half years after his parole, he killed his niece again. This  tragic incident reflects the alarming reality of repeat offenses among juvenile delinquents in  Bangladesh.5It also exposes critical weaknesses in post-release monitoring, rehabilitation, and  psychological support systems for adolescent offenders.  

Rehabilitation and Prevention Strategies 

Here, I will provide some recommendations for effective rehabilitation and prevention strategies  to reduce adolescent crime.  

• Family and Community-Based Interventions 

Strengthening parental responsibility, family counseling, and social awareness programs can  reduce risks.6 Community Awareness Campaigns should conduct to remove social stigma against  reformed juveniles. 

• Education and Vocational Training 

Education remains the most effective tool for crime prevention. Schools should include moral  education, life skills, and counseling services. Vocational training for dropouts can create  employment pathways, preventing criminal drift. 

• Psychological Support and Counseling 

Mental health services in schools and communities can address trauma, anger, or behavioral  disorders. Early diagnosis of emotional issues can reduce tendencies toward delinquency. 

• Digital Literacy and Media Regulation 

Educating adolescents about responsible digital behavior and implementing stricter monitoring of  harmful online content can reduce cyber-related offenses. 

• Reforming the Juvenile Justice System 

Establishing more child-friendly courts, training law enforcement, and ensuring proper  implementation of diversion programs are essential. The focus should be on rehabilitation over  retribution. 

• Strengthening Probation Services 

Probation officers supervise juvenile probationers to ensure they follow court orders and  rehabilitation programs. However, in many cases in Bangladesh, inadequate supervision and  irregular follow-ups by probation officers allow juveniles to return to criminal activities.  Strengthening probation services and ensuring strict monitoring can significantly reduce  recidivism and promote successful rehabilitation. 

Conclusion 

Adolescent involvement in crime in Bangladesh represents a growing challenge that demands  urgent attention from policymakers, communities, and families alike. The increasing rate of  juvenile offenses indicates not only the moral and social degradation among youth but also the  inefficiency of existing social and legal structures in addressing their needs. Bangladesh’s youth  represent both its greatest strength and its greatest vulnerability. By investing in their development,  guiding them through positive mentorship, and ensuring a fair justice system, the nation can turn  the tide against juvenile delinquency.

Bibliography 

1. Primary Sources  

Statutes  

Children Act.2013 (Act No. 24 of 2013).  

2. Secondary Sources  

Government Policy Document 

National Child Policy 2011 (Bangladesh).  

Journal Articles 

• Md Zahidul Islam, Shammi Akter, Md Sobur Hossain & Nishat Tasnim, ‘Juvenile  Delinquency in Bangladesh: The Impact of Familial and Economic Factors in Dhaka City’  (2024) Journal of Indonesian Economic Research 84 https://doi.org/10.61105/jier.v2i2.130  accessed 24 October 2025.  
• Md Faruk Hossain & Md Arifuzzaman, ‘Gang‑based Cybercrime of Juvenile Society in  Bangladesh: Challenges and Remedies’ (2023) Global Mainstream Journal of Law,  Diplomacy, Psychology& Social Sciences  https://doi.org/10.62304/jldpss.v1i03.40accessed 24 October 2025.  
• Md Manjur Hossain Patoari, ‘Socio‑Economic, Cultural and Family Factors Causing  Juvenile Delinquency and Its Consequences in Bangladesh: A Look for Way Out’ (2020)  Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Management Studies 89  https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.500.2020.72.89.98 accessed 27 October 2025. 

News Paper Article 

• H M Nazmul Alam, ‘Teenage gangs and a failing social order’ The Daily Star (31 August  2025) https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/teenage-gangs-and-failing-social order-3974366accessed 27 October 2025.

1 Children Act, 2013 (Act No. 24 of 2013). 

2 National Child Policy 2011 (Bangladesh).

3 Md Zahidul Islam, Shammi Akter, Md Sobur Hossain & Nishat Tasnim, ‘Juvenile Delinquency in Bangladesh:  The Impact of Familial and Economic Factors in Dhaka City’ (2024) Journal of Indonesian Economic Research 84  https://doi.org/10.61105/jier.v2i2.130 accessed 24 October 2025.

4 Md Faruk Hossain & Md Arifuzzaman, ‘Gang‑based Cybercrime of Juvenile Society in Bangladesh: Challenges  and Remedies’ (2023) Global Mainstream Journal of Law, Diplomacy, Psychology& Social Sciences  https://doi.org/10.62304/jldpss.v1i03.40accessed 24 October 2025.

5 H M Nazmul Alam, ‘Teenage gangs and a failing social order’ The Daily Star (31 August 2025)  https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/teenage-gangs-and-failing-social-order-3974366accessed  27 October 2025. 

6 Md Manjur Hossain Patoari, ‘Socio‑Economic, Cultural and Family Factors Causing Juvenile Delinquency and Its  Consequences in Bangladesh: A Look for Way Out’ (2020) Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Management  Studies 89 https://doi.org/10.20448/journal.500.2020.72.89.98 accessed 27 October 2025.