Shocking Bengaluru Assault: Man Arrested for Kicking 5-Year-Old ‘Like a Football’

December 20, 2025: A wave of outrage has swept through Bengaluru following a horrific incident in the Thyagarajanagar area, where a 35-year-old man was caught on CCTV brutally assaulting a five-year-old child. The footage, which went viral on social media, shows the man kicking the young boy with such force that witnesses described the act as “kicking him like a football.”

The incident occurred on December 14, 2025, on Old Post Office Road, but the details and subsequent arrest have only recently come to light after the family shared the chilling video to seek justice.

The Incident: Unprovoked Brutality

The victim, identified as Neev Jain, was visiting his maternal uncle’s house in South Bengaluru. Around 1:15 PM, while the child was playing badminton with other children outside the residence, the accused—identified as Ranjan M. (also known as Ranjith)—emerged from his home.

The CCTV footage captures a haunting sequence: Ranjan walks calmly toward the children, suddenly breaks into a short run, and delivers a powerful kick to the five-year-old’s back. The impact sent the boy flying forward, causing him to hit the ground face-first. Ranjan is then seen walking away with total indifference, leaving the child bleeding and in shock.

The boy sustained injuries above his eyebrow that required medical attention, along with several abrasions on his hands and legs.

Investigation and Arrest

Initially, the boy’s mother, Deepika Jain, approached the Banashankari Police, where a Non-Cognizable Report (NCR) was filed. However, as the video gained traction and the severity of the unprovoked attack became clear, the police registered an FIR under Section 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for voluntarily causing hurt.

Ranjan, a former gym trainer, was subsequently arrested. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to the assault, claiming he was “distracted” and “annoyed” by the noise of children playing on the street.

Mental Health Concerns and History

The case has taken a complex turn as the family of the accused claims he is suffering from severe psychological issues. According to police reports:

• Recent Trauma: Ranjan’s family stated he suffered a head injury in a bike accident last month, which led to a drastic change in his behavior.
• A Habitual Pattern: Neighbors and the victim’s mother have alleged that this was not an isolated incident. CCTV reviews suggest Ranjan had been seen harassing other children and pedestrians in the locality over the past few weeks.
• Medical Treatment: Following his arrest and subsequent bail, Ranjan was reportedly moved to a psychiatric facility in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, for specialized treatment.

Community Reaction and Safety

The brutality of the video has sparked a heated debate regarding child safety in residential neighborhoods and the management of individuals with violent mental health tendencies. Local residents have expressed fear for their children, calling for stricter monitoring of the area.

“He didn’t just hit him; he kicked a helpless child from behind. We are terrified to let our kids out even for a moment now,” said a resident of Thyagarajanagar.

The Bengaluru police have assured the public that they are collecting medical records to verify the accused’s mental health status while ensuring that the legal process follows its course to protect the victims.