NEW DELHI: A serving Army brigadier and his 22-year-old son were allegedly assaulted by a group of men in southwest Delhi’s Vasant Vihar on Saturday night after they objected to two individuals drinking inside a parked car near their residence.
Both sustained injuries in the attack, while the family has accused police of inaction during and after the incident.
Police said a preliminary inquiry found lapses on the part of the investigating inspector, who has since been sent to district lines. Efforts are underway to identify and trace the accused.
An FIR has been registered at Vasant Vihar police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including charges related to voluntarily causing hurt, wrongful restraint, criminal intimidation, outraging modesty, and rioting.
According to the brigadier’s wife, the incident occurred around 9:45 pm when the family had stepped out for a walk. They noticed two men consuming alcohol in a car parked near their society gate and objected to the behaviour. She alleged the men responded with abuse and passed remarks that outraged her modesty.
After the confrontation, the family dialled the police helpline, and a PCR van arrived around 10:15 pm. However, she claimed the situation worsened in the presence of police personnel, who did not take action against the men. She further alleged that the PCR staff behaved inappropriately during the interaction.
Shortly thereafter, two more vehicles arrived, and seven to eight men—allegedly associates of the accused—joined the scene. The group reportedly attacked the brigadier’s son, throwing him to the ground and beating him, causing multiple injuries.
When the brigadier intervened, he too was assaulted and sustained bruises. The woman alleged that the attack continued for nearly 20 minutes in front of police personnel, who failed to intervene, while the accused continued to hurl abusive and vulgar remarks.
Following the incident, the family sought police assistance but alleged further harassment. They claimed they were asked to sit in the boot of the PCR vehicle, which they refused, and later went to the police station on their own.
At the station, they alleged delays in registering their complaint and said police insisted on a medico-legal case (MLC) before filing an FIR. The family eventually sought treatment independently at a military hospital.
In a statement, the Indian Army said it has taken serious note of the incident and deployed a military police team to assist the officer. It has also urged Delhi Police to conduct a swift investigation and take appropriate action.
