Police said the accused, identified as Vikas Besakar Paswan, lured the stray pup into the cubicle, where he committed the heinous act before being confronted by onlookers.
A viral video of the rescue and arrest has sparked widespread outrage online and among animal welfare organisations calling for stricter legal protections and harsher punishments for animal cruelty. The puppy was rescued in critical condition and is receiving veterinary care, while investigations continue.
Horror in Malad Public Toilet
On Sunday evening in the Kurar Village area of Malad East, local residents were alarmed by the sounds of distress from a young puppy coming from a public toilet cubicle. According to the Kurar police, the accused had taken the helpless animal inside and allegedly engaged in a particularly disturbing act of sexual assault, followed by beating the puppy.
When a passerby heard the cries and raised the alarm, a local animal rights activist, Geeta Patel, immediately alerted the police. Officers reached the scene to find a gathering crowd detaining Paswan, who initially refused to open the cubicle door, according to eyewitness accounts.
The police eventually gained access, rescued the severely injured puppy and took the accused into custody. Local residents and activists held him until officers arrived, their actions captured in a video that has since circulated widely on social media, amplifying public anger and disbelief. “This is an act of extreme cruelty against a defenseless animal,” said one neighbour who witnessed the scene, echoing sentiments shared across platforms.
The puppy was described by rescuers as critically injured, and immediately shifted to a veterinary clinic for emergency treatment. While authorities have not shared full medical details, the animal’s condition is being closely monitored by veterinarians and caregivers. The footage of the rescue showing emotional pleas from bystanders and the frantic efforts to save the pup has reignited calls for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws in India.
A 20‑year‑old man has been arrested in Malad East, north Mumbai, for allegedly sexually assaulting and brutally beating a two‑to‑two‑and‑a‑half‑month‑old puppy inside a public toilet on Sunday evening, 18 January 2026.
Police said the accused, identified as Vikas Besakar Paswan, lured the stray pup into the cubicle, where he committed the heinous act before being confronted by onlookers.
A viral video of the rescue and arrest has sparked widespread outrage online and among animal welfare organisations calling for stricter legal protections and harsher punishments for animal cruelty. The puppy was rescued in critical condition and is receiving veterinary care, while investigations continue.
Horror in Malad Public Toilet
On Sunday evening in the Kurar Village area of Malad East, local residents were alarmed by the sounds of distress from a young puppy coming from a public toilet cubicle. According to the Kurar police, the accused had taken the helpless animal inside and allegedly engaged in a particularly disturbing act of sexual assault, followed by beating the puppy.
When a passerby heard the cries and raised the alarm, a local animal rights activist, Geeta Patel, immediately alerted the police. Officers reached the scene to find a gathering crowd detaining Paswan, who initially refused to open the cubicle door, according to eyewitness accounts.
The police eventually gained access, rescued the severely injured puppy and took the accused into custody. Local residents and activists held him until officers arrived, their actions captured in a video that has since circulated widely on social media, amplifying public anger and disbelief. “This is an act of extreme cruelty against a defenseless animal,” said one neighbour who witnessed the scene, echoing sentiments shared across platforms.
The puppy was described by rescuers as critically injured, and immediately shifted to a veterinary clinic for emergency treatment. While authorities have not shared full medical details, the animal’s condition is being closely monitored by veterinarians and caregivers. The footage of the rescue showing emotional pleas from bystanders and the frantic efforts to save the pup has reignited calls for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws in India.
Legal Action and Activist Response
The Kurar police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Paswan under Section 325 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which deals with mischief that results in the maiming or death of an animal along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960.
Authorities confirmed that Paswan remains in police custody following the viral video and public pressure, even as formal charges are pursued and forensic evidence is gathered.
Animal welfare groups have seized on this case to highlight what they see as glaring gaps in India’s legal framework for protecting animals, especially in cases of sexual violence against them.
Activists argue that recent changes to the BNS removed explicit provisions, such as those formerly under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, which criminalised bestiality, leaving police and prosecutors to rely on weaker, often bailable provisions that do not reflect the severity of such crimes.
Dhairya Gajara, head of the Yuva Sena Animal Welfare Force and founder of JeevOne Welfare Foundation, commented that “the absence of specific legal sections to address sexual violence against animals means that such cases are often treated as minor cruelty rather than the heinous acts they are.”
Activists have called for amendments to both the BNS and the PCA Act to include clear, stringent, non‑bailable offences for sexual crimes against animals, reflecting modern standards of animal protection and criminal justice.
Broader Context of Animal Rights in India
This incident is not isolated. Across India, animal cruelty from physical beatings to poisoning, neglect, and abandonment continues to surface, often triggering public outcry and legal action. Experts point out that while statutory protections exist, enforcement remains inconsistent, and many cases go unreported due to lack of awareness or reluctance among authorities to pursue robust charges.
For example, organisations such as PETA India have, in prior instances, successfully worked with police to register FIRs against individuals abusing puppies, yet they note that punishments under current statutes often do not match the gravity of the acts committed a challenge echoed by many animal rights advocates nationwide.
Cities like Mumbai have seen other disturbing episodes, such as stray dogs being attacked with acid over perceived nuisances, or boarding facility neglect resulting in blindness and other injuries for pets, illustrating the wide spectrum of cruelty issues urban India faces and the need for more comprehensive animal welfare strategies.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At its core, this deeply distressing incident forces us to confront a fundamental question about our collective values. The way we treat the most vulnerable among us including animals that cannot speak for themselves is a barometer of our empathy, compassion and moral responsibility as a society. Legislation alone cannot end cruelty; it must be accompanied by collective vigilance, public education and cultural change that dignifies all life.
The Logical Indian believes that while laws provide a necessary framework for justice, their effectiveness depends on our shared commitment to kindness and respect for every living being. Acts of violence against animals are not merely legal violations but moral failures that erode the social fabric we all rely on. We must strive to nurture a culture where empathy triumphs over indifference, and where cruelty is universally condemned and prevented.
