In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across Pune, a 17-year-old boy nicknamed ‘Barkya’—due to his short height—has been arrested for allegedly leading a gang involved in a series of serious crimes. The minor, hailing from Tarawade Vasti in Hadapsar, had reportedly been active in criminal activities for over five years and had recently formed his own gang after parting ways with a notorious crime syndicate.
What is Juvenile Crime?
Juvenile crime refers to illegal activities committed by individuals who are under the age of 18. These crimes can range from theft and vandalism to more serious offenses like assault or robbery. In India, such minors are usually dealt with under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, which focuses more on rehabilitation than punishment. The goal is to help young offenders correct their path and reintegrate into society—rather than treat them like adult criminals.
Juvenile Mastermind Behind Organised Crime
Police say Barkya dropped out after Class 8 and was initially involved in petty theft and pickpocketing. His aggressive nature attracted the Shikalgar gang, who introduced him to more serious crimes like robbery and assault. Following his release from jail in 2023, Barkya cut ties with them and started his own network, now identified as the ‘Barkya Gang’. He is suspected to be the first juvenile in Pune to lead such an organised criminal group.
A Web of Criminal Cases and Arrests
The Pune police acted on a tipoff and arrested four members of the Barkya gang on March 22, solving at least six criminal cases registered across various police stations. The arrested include:
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Sahil Avhad (19)
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Anand Londhe (34) – a rickshaw driver who reportedly helped launder the gang’s stolen goods
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Aryan Aglawe (18)
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Kuldeep Sonawane (19)
Two other minors were also detained. The police recovered:
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129 grams of stolen gold worth ₹10.31 lakh
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4 stolen motorcycles worth ₹2.4 lakh
Senior officers expressed concern over how a juvenile could organise such coordinated criminal activities, calling it an “alarming trend” that needs immediate attention.
Juvenile Crime in Pune: A Growing Concern
Data from Pune Police reveals that between 2021 and May 2024, 1,681 juveniles were involved in 1,061 criminal cases. In 2021 alone, 519 juveniles were linked to 336 cases, with Yerawada division reporting the highest number.
Rani Khedikar, President of Pune’s Child Welfare Committee (CWC), emphasized that minors like Barkya are often seen as victims of systemic failure.
“Rehabilitation efforts are limited when families refuse to support or send children to CWC shelters,” she said.
Despite multiple awareness and counselling sessions held across Pune, repeat offences remain common due to a lack of family and community support.
What’s Next?
Police are now focusing on dismantling the entire Barkya gang network and tracing their past crimes. Officials have assured that surveillance and juvenile crime prevention measures will be intensified across the city.
This case, while disturbing, has reignited an important conversation: How can society protect its children from the lure of crime—and are current interventions strong enough to prevent the rise of more ‘Barkyas’ in our cities?
