Watch: Man slaps, bites 12-year-old boy inside lift in Maharashtra’s Thane district

A disturbing video has surfaced showing a 35-year-old man physically assaulting a 12-year-old boy inside an elevator of a residential building in Ambernath East, Thane district, Maharashtra. The incident, which occurred on July 4, has sparked outrage after CCTV footage went viral on social media.

According to the police, the boy was on his way to tuition and had entered the lift from the 14th floor. When the lift stopped at the 9th floor, he initially pressed the ‘close’ button but quickly reopened the doors upon noticing his friend’s father, Kailash Tanwani, and a woman waiting to enter.

The boy recounted that as soon as Tanwani stepped inside, he began slapping him without provocation and even tried to bite his hand. The woman attempted to intervene but could not stop the assault. After exiting the lift, Tanwani allegedly slapped the boy again in the lobby and even threatened him with a knife, despite efforts by the security guard and housekeeping staff to protect the child.



An FIR was registered on Tuesday based on a complaint by the boy’s father. The accused has been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act.

The incident has triggered strong reactions online. One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, "This man is clearly a threat. Just imagine what else he’s capable of." Another wrote, "The police must act swiftly—this is a serious offense against a minor."

Many users also reflected on broader societal issues, with one noting, "COVID lockdowns have mentally impacted many—this looks like one of those tragic outcomes."

Another X user wrote, "He seems like a serious offender , so the kid was trying to close the door."

"This person will be booked under POCSO act, he is assaulting the child just because he's not able to defend himself. Police must take this into cognizance," noted another.

Authorities are investigating the case further.