Juvenile held for arson after bike owner refused to lend vehicle

New Delhi: Delhi Police has apprehended a juvenile accused of setting a vehicle on fire after its owner refused to lend it to him in northwest Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar.

According to police, during routine social media monitoring they came across posts, videos and status updates in which the teenager was allegedly seen brandishing firearms and glorifying criminal activities to create fear in the area. He also had a tattoo with “Crime” inked on his wrist, police said. The juvenile was later apprehended.

“During questioning, he told us that through such activities he was trying to create fear among local residents and establish his dominance among local youths and anti-social elements in the area,” said deputy commissioner of police (northwest) Akanksha Yadav.

Police said the boy was wanted in an arson case in which he and his associates allegedly set a man’s motorcycle on fire after the owner refused to lend them the vehicle to purchase alcohol.

Further verification revealed that the juvenile had previously been found involved in five criminal cases, including snatching, assault, mischief by fire, theft and attempt to murder, reflecting his continued inclination towards criminal activities at a young age. In the past, police had written to the Juvenile Justice Board seeking that he be tried as an adult, officials added.