In a disturbing incident that has shocked a Bengaluru neighbourhood, a 35-year-old man violently assaulted a five-year-old boy who was playing badminton with other children. The attack occurred on December 14 on Old Post Office Road in Thyagarajanagar, South Bengaluru.
Details of the Shocking Assault
The young victim, a resident of Doddamavalli near Lalbagh, was visiting his uncle's house in Thyagarajanagar. According to the complaint filed by the boy's mother, the incident happened around 1:15 pm. While her son was playing near the house, a neighbour, identified as Ranjith, also known as Ranjan, suddenly approached and kicked the child.
The force of the kick caused the boy to fall to the ground. He sustained injuries including bleeding above his eyebrow and scratches on his hands and feet. Family members present at the scene immediately attended to the child.
Police Action and Legal Proceedings
Seeking justice, the boy's mother approached the police on the same day, demanding legal action against Ranjith. Initially, the complaint was registered as a Non-Cognisable Report (NCR), which required further inquiry.
Following a preliminary investigation, police obtained permission from the II Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) court on December 15. They subsequently registered a formal case under the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) section 115(2) for voluntarily causing hurt.
Profile of the Accused and Investigation
A senior police officer provided details about the accused. Ranjith, who worked as a gym trainer but had quit his job, is unmarried. According to his family members, he is mentally unstable and is currently undergoing treatment with a psychiatrist.
The officer stated, "We are collecting details about his medical records. Ranjith has no cases against him in the past, but he always stays isolated and doesn’t talk much, even with his family members. Further necessary action will be initiated."
The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in one of the buildings. The footage shows Ranjith coming out of his house wearing a cap. He spots the boy holding a shuttle bat, runs towards him, kicks him on the back, and then calmly walks away. Older children playing nearby immediately informed the boy's parents about the attack.
