A brutal assault in east Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar, allegedly sparked by a property and gym ownership dispute, has drawn widespread outrage after CCTV footage showed a man being thrashed, his wife attacked, and their son stripped naked and beaten publicly on January 2, police and family sources said.

The victims, who run a gym from the basement of their residence, claim the conflict with the gym’s caretaker escalated into daylight violence. One accused, identified as 45-year-old Satish “Pintoo” Yadav, has been arrested and three others Shubham Yadav, Vikas Yadav and Omkar Yadav remain at large, according to the police.

Family members say the son, traumatised by the incident, has since gone missing. Authorities are analysing multiple viral videos and CCTV footage as the probe continues.

Daylight Violence Over Gym Row

The violent incident occurred near the family’s home in east Delhi’s Laxmi Nagar between approximately 3.30 pm and 4.15 pm on January 2, drawing stunned reactions from neighbours and social media users alike. According to the Delhi Police, the assault stemmed from an ongoing dispute involving the ownership and control of a gym operated from the basement of a residential property.

CCTV footage, widely circulated on social platforms, captures multiple moments of the assault beginning with several men dragging the complainant, identified as 52-year-old businessman and gym owner Rajesh Garg, out of his home and beating him in broad daylight. Video clips show a black Mahindra Thar and two-wheelers arriving at the scene, followed by a group of attackers who physically assaulted Garg.

When Garg’s teenage son came down after hearing the commotion, the attackers reportedly forced him out onto the street, stripped him of his clothes, and kicked and beat him repeatedly, even as neighbours watched. The distressing visuals also depict bystanders nearby and police on a motorcycle arriving shortly afterwards, handing the victim his trousers while the assault wound down.

Delhi Police said they have seized all relevant CCTV footage and initiated a detailed examination to determine the precise sequence of events and the involvement of each accused.

Physical and Alleged Sexual Assault, Son Missing

Garg and his wife have provided emotional accounts of the attack to law enforcement and media. In statements to reporters and in the FIR (first information report), Garg said he was punched, kicked and stripped during the assault. “They tore my clothes and kept punching me in the face,” he told the press, adding that his son was left lying injured on the road.

The family’s wife made more distressing allegations, claiming she was slapped, kicked, had her hair pulled and was inappropriately touched while trying to intervene during the attack. She questioned whether the public stripping and humiliation of her son was “less than rape,” highlighting the deep psychological and social scar the incident has left on her family.

Days after the attack, the couple’s son—whose wedding was reportedly scheduled to take place within a short period—has not been in contact with the family. Relatives say he left home and has remained untraceable, raising serious concerns about his safety and well-being.

Police accompanied the family to Hedgewar Hospital in Karkardooma for medical examination following the assault, where injuries were documented. Authorities have recorded statements, registered the FIR, and are pursuing the remaining accused with active teams.

Police Response, Legal Action and Broader Concerns

Delhi Police officials have confirmed the registration of an FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to:

• Voluntarily causing hurt
• Criminal trespass and wrongful restraint
• Assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty
• Acts intended to insult a woman’s modesty
• Criminal intimidation

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania said the investigation is ongoing, stressing that the footage will help establish the involvement of each named suspect. He confirmed that Satish Yadav has been arrested, and that continuous efforts are being made to apprehend the other accused at large.

The incident has ignited debate over law and order, particularly in densely populated urban neighbourhoods like Laxmi Nagar, where disputes over property and business can escalate quickly. Local residents expressed shock at the brazen nature of the attack, especially given the public setting and the apparent presence of onlookers and police during parts of the assault.

Context and Widening Public Outrage

The assault has provoked widespread condemnation on social media, with many users highlighting the disturbing nature of the violence and the serious failure implied in public safety and protection. Threads shared on discussion platforms have noted not only the severity of the physical violence but also the deep humiliation inflicted on the victims, especially the son who was stripped naked in broad daylight.

Some community members have criticised the timeliness of police response, with viral clips suggesting that the assault continued even as law enforcement was nearby. Others have connected the incident to larger concerns over how personal disputes, when left unresolved, can metastasise into traumatic public spectacles, fuelling fear within neighbourhoods.

There are also unverified claims circulating on social platforms alleging local political connections of the accused, though these have not been confirmed by official sources and should be treated with caution until verified in court or by clear evidence.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This harrowing episode in Laxmi Nagar highlights a troubling intersection of personal dispute, public violence and community safety. At its core, it is not just a story about a property row gone wrong it is about the dignity of individuals, the responsibilities of authorities, and the thresholds of societal tolerance for violence in everyday life.

The fact that such extreme conduct occurred in broad daylight, captured on CCTV and widely shared, should compel us to reflect on deeper issues: the urgent need for accessible conflict resolution mechanisms, the imperative of swift and effective police action, and the social duty we share to protect the vulnerable from intimidation and brutality.