A disturbing case of domestic violence has surfaced from Punjab’s Gurdaspur district after a video of a woman assaulting her elderly mother-in-law went viral. The footage has triggered widespread outrage and prompted action from the Punjab State Commission for Women, which has demanded a report from local authorities.

In the viral clip, Harjeet Kaur can be seen physically attacking her mother-in-law, Gurbachan Kaur, while the elderly woman repeatedly begs her son to intervene. Despite the pleas, the attack continues with the daughter-in-law seen slapping, dragging, and hitting the elderly woman with a steel glass, all in front of family members.

The assault was allegedly captured by Harjeet’s teenage son, Charatvir Singh, who later shared the video. In the recording, Charatvir can be heard pleading with his mother to stop. His voice, saying “Mumma, na karo,” highlights the emotional and traumatic nature of the incident.

The shocking incident reportedly took place on Sunday, after Harjeet allegedly found her mother-in-law attempting to record one of her abusive tirades. Enraged, she grabbed the phone and began physically assaulting the older woman.

Charatvir, who filmed the video, has come forward with additional footage showing past incidents of violence in the household. In one of the videos, Harjeet is seen attacking her husband with a slipper. In another, the boy appears locked in a room — which he claims was done deliberately to stop him from helping his grandmother during previous abuse.

He also alleged that his mother is addicted to alcohol and frequently assaults not just his grandmother, but also his father and himself. Despite lodging complaints earlier, he claimed that the police response was limited to warnings and no strict action had been taken.

Meanwhile, Gurbachan Kaur, the elderly victim and a widow, has filed a formal complaint with police. She accused her daughter-in-law of consistently abusing her, both mentally and physically, especially after the death of her husband, a retired Block Primary Education Officer, around four months ago. She further alleged that Harjeet had been trying to force the family into transferring property into her name.

The Punjab State Commission for Women, led by Chairperson Raj Lali Gill, has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter. A notice has been sent to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Gurdaspur, requesting that a senior officer conduct a detailed investigation. The Commission has also sought an action-taken report by October 2.

In a post shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Raj Lali Gill stated, “An elderly helpless mother was beaten by her daughter-in-law in Gurdaspur. A suo motu action was taken immediately. The safety and dignity of the elderly is our top priority.”

According to reports, the local police have issued a warning to Harjeet Kaur and confirmed that further investigation is underway. Authorities are currently reviewing the videos submitted by Charatvir and are expected to take action based on the findings.

This incident has once again brought the issue of elder abuse and domestic violence into focus, especially within joint family systems. Social media users and citizens have called for strict legal action to ensure justice for Gurbachan Kaur and safety for other vulnerable individuals facing similar abuse in silence.