Bengaluru police have made their first arrest in the disturbing Capgemini daycare abuse case, which came to light after shocking videos of toddler mistreatment surfaced. The arrested individual, identified as Vijayalaxmi, was an employee at the facility located on Capgemini's corporate campus.
Investigation Underway as Others Evade Questioning
Vijayalaxmi has been charged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice Act. She is believed to be the person seen in the footage that sparked widespread public outrage. Meanwhile, three other individuals who received notices to appear for questioning have failed to cooperate with investigators. Police had initially registered an FIR against five women associated with the daycare and are now working to determine if these were isolated incidents or part of a broader pattern of abuse.
Horrific Abuse Captured on Video
The widely circulated videos depicted deeply concerning acts against young children, some as young as two years old. These included forcing toddlers into the drum of a front-loading washing machine, spraying water into their mouths with a jet spray, and locking them inside bathrooms as a form of punishment for crying.
Capgemini Responds to Allegations
Following the emergence of the footage, Capgemini swiftly announced the temporary closure of its Bengaluru on-campus daycare facility. In a statement, the company emphasized its commitment to the "health, safety and wellbeing of its employees and their families" and confirmed full cooperation with authorities to establish the facts of the case.
Child Rights Commission Intervenes
The matter has also drawn the attention of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The commission is expected to request a detailed report from the authorities and will conduct its own independent review of the serious allegations.