The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of alarming reports concerning alleged cruelty towards toddlers at a daycare facility located on the premises of an IT company in Bengaluru. The commission has issued notices to the Karnataka chief secretary and the director general of police, demanding a comprehensive report on the matter within two weeks.
Disturbing Allegations Trigger Investigation
The incident came to light following media reports on July 2, which included videos purportedly depicting severe mistreatment of young children. These videos allegedly showed nannies engaging in various inhumane acts, such as placing toddlers inside a washing machine, spraying water into their mouths with a toilet jet spray, locking them inside toilets to silence them, forcing them to sit on Western-style commodes, and threatening them to remain silent when they cried.
The crèche, which served the children of professionals working at the Capgemini campus, has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure while the investigation proceeds. The NHRC emphasized that the contents of these reports, if proven true, constitute grave violations of human rights.
Police Action and Ongoing Probe
Bengaluru police have initiated action, making one arrest in connection with the alleged abuse. Vijayalakshmi, 55, one of the two staff members accused, was apprehended and subsequently remanded to three-day police custody. Authorities are actively searching for another accused individual, Manjula, who remains absconding. Three other staff members named in the initial First Information Report (FIR) were questioned but later released due to insufficient evidence linking them to the alleged crimes.
Origin of Videos Under Scrutiny
Investigators are also focusing on the origin of the disturbing video clips. Initial findings suggest that a former employee, who departed the daycare shortly before the videos surfaced online, may have recorded them. Police are working to verify the authenticity of the videos, ascertain when they were recorded, and understand the circumstances under which they were made public. Officials have assured that all aspects of the case are under thorough investigation, and appropriate legal action will follow based on the findings.