Essay on the Classifications of Crimes !
The existence of crime in a society is a challenge to its members due to its deleterious effect on the ordered social growth. In fact, it leads to a colossal waste of human energy and an enormous economic loss.
Therefore, with the advance in the field of criminology and behavioural sciences, efforts are being constantly made to work out a commonly acceptable classification of crimes and criminals for providing a rational basis of punishment for various categories of offenders.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
There are a variety of crimes such as violent personal crimes, occasional property crimes, occupational crimes, political crimes, public order crimes, conventional crimes, organised crimes, professional crimes, white collar crimes, sexual crimes, crimes against property, person, decency, public order etc.
Broadly speaking, these may be categorised into three main heads, namely, (i) offences falling under Code of Criminal Procedure; (ii) offences under Indian Penal Code; and (iii) offences under local or special laws or enactments.
Some writers have preferred to classify crimes into legal, political, economic, social and miscellaneous crimes.
1. Legal crimes can be termed as traditional crimes such as theft, robbery, dacoity rape, hurt and rioting etc.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
2. Political offences are those which are motivated politically or committed in violation of the election laws or norms set out for the politicians in course of their political activities.
3. Economic crimes include white collar offences such as tax evasion, smuggling, prostitution, gambling, foreign exchange violations, offences under the MRTP (Amendment) Act, 1991 etc.
4. Social crimes are those which are committed under social legislation such as the Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1978; Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955; Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956; Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986; Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987; The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 as amended in 1983 and 1986; Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000; Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 etc.
5. All other remaining crimes which are committed under local or special Acts, are termed as miscellaneous crimes, for example, offences under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954; Drugs Act, 1940; Consumer’s Protection Act, 1986; Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs & Psychotrophic Substances Act, 1988 etc.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
More recently, a new species of crime known as cyber crime has emerged as a result of development of computer science and information technology during last quarter of the 20th century. These are crimes either computer generated crime or where computer software is itself a target of crime. A special Act called the Information Technology Act, 2000 has been enacted to tackle these offences.