Runaway kids had tunnel vision

27 escape juvenile home after digging a shaft, two are hardened criminals

Running from the law proved to be a child's play for the 27 inmates who escaped the Kingsway camp juvenile home on Sunday night.

The incident took place around 10 pm.

Howdunit
"They made a tunnel by digging under a toilet pot in their washroom with the help of an iron rod. Three security guards tried to stop them but were unsuccessful. Unfortunately, one of the guards received some injuries," sources said.

The masterminds
Two boys, Sonu and Pawan (names changed) apparently hatched the plot. Both are reported to be habitual criminals. Sonu was part of almost 100 burglaries and thefts and also headed the infamous 'burgle and burn' gang, which would set houses on fire after robbing them.

"Sonu had escaped from the remand home several times over the past seven years. He had been involved in cases of thefts and burglaries in areas near Sarojini Nagar." said a senior police officer.

Pawan had a different modus operandi. He was involved in several car-jacking cases. He would steal a car, use it for two to three days, and would then abandon the vehicle and return back to the home.

'Change the law'
"There is a need to change the Section 22 of Juvenile Justice Law because minors are taking advantage. They run away from the homes whenever they want. There should be a segregation of inmates in juvenile homes according to their age and behaviour," said a senior advocate.
Meanwhile, three of the 27 escapees surrendered on Monday.