BENGALURU: A former employee of the daycare centre at the heart of the alleged toddler abuse case on Capgemini’s Bengaluru campus is being questioned by police after investigators found she had recorded some of the videos that exposed the alleged mistreatment of children.According to police sources, the woman was serving her notice period after being fired from the daycare centre when she allegedly filmed the incidents on her mobile phone. The videos were later shared with a family member, who handed them over to a child helpline official, leading to the registration of a case.Investigators, however, are also examining the former employee’s own role after an old CCTV clip purportedly showed a woman resembling her threatening and locking a toddler inside a room. Police said a case could also be registered against her if the allegations are substantiated.The case came to light after four videos allegedly showing toddlers being physically abused at the daycare centre operating on Capgemini’s Brookefield campus were submitted to the child helpline, which then approached HAL Police.The footage allegedly showed children aged between two and three years being placed inside a front-loading washing machine, sprayed with water from a toilet jet, locked inside bathrooms and threatened into silence.So far, police have arrested two caregivers, Manjula and Vijayalakshmi, after verifying the videos. They were produced before a court and remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody. Police said efforts are on to identify the role of the remaining staff members seen in the videos.The accused have been booked under provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act and Section 351 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for criminal intimidation.Bengaluru police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh described the allegations as “a very serious issue” and said investigators were verifying the videos, CCTV footage and other technical evidence. He added that no one involved would be spared and that police would also examine whether daycare centres across the city were operating with proper authorisation and following prescribed safety norms.Responding to the incident, Capgemini said the safety and wellbeing of every child remains its highest priority and that it was treating the allegations involving the Bengaluru daycare facility, operated by external provider Little Scholars, with the utmost seriousness.In a statement, the company said its “first thoughts are with the children and their families” and that it was extending all possible support to those affected.Capgemini said that while authorities continue their investigation, it has temporarily closed the daycare facility in Bengaluru pending a review, is fully cooperating with the police, and is working to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.The company added that it has introduced support measures for affected families, including a dedicated helpline, counselling through its Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and flexible work-from-home options for employees.It also said it is reassessing all daycare providers across its facilities in India. “We are committed to acting decisively to protect our employees and their families,” the statement said.
