When we think of schools, we imagine places where students receive proper education, values, and discipline. However, three remote villages in Madhya Pradesh, India, have gained notoriety for their “thief schools.”

In these villages, children as young as 12 are trained by experienced criminals in pickpocketing, theft, and robbery.

Kadiya, Gulakhedi, and Hulikhedi schools, located about 120 kilometers from the state capital Bhopal, are known as nurseries for juvenile criminals.

According to reports, parents pay between 200,000 to 300,000 Indian Rupees in “tuition fees” to have their children trained in these “black arts.” These notorious “thief schools” have produced some of the most infamous criminals in India’s history.

Children from poor and less educated families who cannot provide proper education are recruited for these schools. After paying the required tuition fees, parents send their children for a year of criminal training, where they learn various skills and prepare for a life of crime.

Once they pass these schools and join criminal groups, their families receive an annual payment of 300,000 to 500,000 Indian Rupees from the leaders of these groups.

Crime is deeply rooted in these remote Indian villages. Although the police are aware of the activities, they face challenges as the community protects the criminal groups. Villagers resist the police when they attempt to arrest suspects.

When the police attempt to make arrests in these villages, they must send large forces due to the community’s resistance. Criminal groups primarily use minors under 17 for their activities, who are highly trained and skilled in theft.

Interestingly, most children trained in these rural thief schools come from poor families. However, they are taught how to mingle with wealthy families so they can more easily steal from them.

These children often infiltrate special events like weddings, where they pickpocket guests, steal jewelry, and carry out large-scale robberies.

According to the police, over 8,000 cases have been registered against more than 2,000 people from these three villages in various police stations across India.