Poverty And Criminality
In this article, I’ve tried to co-relate poverty and criminality by theories and case laws.
The relationship between crime and economy is inverse. That is, when economic conditions are favourable, the incidence of crime is comparatively low, but in times of economic depression, criminality records an upward trend.
Co-relation between crime rate and poverty indicates that crime is associated with areas of poverty because of their adverse living conditions, unfavourable socio-economic circumstances, and lack of resources.
According to Gabriel Trade, crimes are a result of man’s craze for a luxurious life. If a man who is used to a luxurious life becomes poor for certain reasons, he is likely to resort to crime in order to satisfy his urge for an easy life.
Bonger’s Economic Theory of Criminality
- William A. Bonger prepared statistical data and demonstrated that almost 79% of criminals belong to the non-profitable class.
- He tried to establish a co-relationship between poverty and delinquency.
- Bonger further observed that the influence of poverty on delinquency is essentially due to a capitalistic economy that breeds disparity and unequal distribution of wealth.
- In an economic system based on capitalism, cycles of inflation and deflation are frequent. Inflation gives rise to bankruptcy and insolvency, as a result of which affected persons are forced to resort to illegal acts.
The relevancy of poverty to crime is sufficiently highlighted by a judicial decision wherein the accused was compelled to commit gruesome murder under the pressure of extreme poverty.
Case Law: Shreerangyee vs. State of Madras
In this case, the accused was a hard-working but unfortunate woman who was deserted by her husband. She had five children but was unable to support them for want of adequate earnings.
Her financial condition worsened due to her youngest child’s severe illness and the doctor’s demand for money for treatment. Shreerangyee tried in vain to raise the sum. Having exhausted all legitimate means to earn a living, she, in exasperation, killed all her five children by drowning them and finally jumped into a well.
She was, however, rescued and convicted under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for killing her children. The court in this case ruled out poverty as an excuse for the murder of innocent children and an attempt to suicide.
