The Bengaluru city police have registered a criminal case against five caregivers employed at an on-campus daycare centre, operated at Capgemini Technology Services India Limited’s Brookfield campus after allegations of physical abuse and cruelty towards children surfaced.
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered on June 29 at the HAL Police Station based on a complaint filed by Tilakesh Kumar, a legal-cum-probation officer with the district child protection unit.
The case has been registered under provisions relating to criminal intimidation and cruelty to children after the state child protection unit reportedly received a complaint over the alleged incidents.
Five Caregivers Named in Police Complaint
According to the FIR, the accused have been identified as Manjula, Vijayalakshmi, Bhavani, Sindhu and Bindu, all of whom were employed as caregivers at the daycare facility located inside Capgemini’s Brookfield campus in Bengaluru. The complaint states that the women had been entrusted with the responsibility of caring for children whose parents work at the technology company’s campus.
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Videos Allegedly Revealed Abuse of Toddlers
Tilakesh Kumar, a legal-cum-probation officer with the district child protection unit, stated in his complaint that he received several videos through WhatsApp that allegedly showed children crying while being subjected to abusive treatment. The videos prompted him to approach the police and initiate legal action. The alleged incidents came to light on June 25 after inquiries were conducted into the operation of the daycare centre.
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Allegations Include Physical Assault and Intimidation
According to the complaint, the caregivers allegedly subjected toddlers to physical assault and mental harassment instead of providing care. The allegations include locking crying children inside washing machines to frighten them, placing them inside narrow water-filled pipes, confining them in bathroom spaces, and using other methods of physical intimidation. The complaint further alleges that some children were sprayed with toilet jet sprays during the incidents.
According to the report, a police officer said the toddlers belonged to employees working at the campus who left their children at the daycare facility during office hours. The officer added that parents and officials were shocked after seeing the manner in which the children were allegedly treated.
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Police Begin Investigation into the Incident
Saidulu Adavath, Deputy Commissioner of Police for the Whitefield Division, confirmed that a case has been registered and an investigation is underway. He said notices would be issued to the individuals named in the FIR, and they would be summoned for questioning as part of the investigation.
Capgemini Temporarily Closes Daycare Facility
Following the allegations, Capgemini announced the temporary closure of its on-campus daycare centre in Bengaluru. In a statement, the company said the health, safety and wellbeing of its employees and their families remain its highest priority. It added that the company is cooperating with the authorities and assisting in efforts to establish the facts while the daycare facility remains closed as a precautionary measure.
