Caretaker Arrested in Alleged Daycare Abuse Case at Bengaluru IT Firm

Vijayalakshmi, a caretaker at a Capgemini-affiliated daycare in Brookfield, Bengaluru, was remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody Friday after being arrested in an abuse investigation. Four other caretakers are fugitives, while ayah Manjula remains in police custody, according to sources.

Arrest and Fugitives

Vijayalakshmi appeared before a jurisdictional court Friday, where judges ordered her detention as investigators seek four untrained colleagues who allegedly fled after videos of child abuse surfaced. Police confirmed the caretaker had recruited the missing staff, though no arrests have been made yet. The case centers on a daycare nestled within Capgemini’s campus, a hub for tech professionals.

Viral Footage Reveals Alleged Abuse

Footage shared online depicts toddlers being threatened, locked in bathrooms, and subjected to bizarre punishments. One clip shows children forced to sit on commodes, while another captures a caregiver spraying water from a toilet jet. A third shows a child placed inside a front-loading washing machine. The clips, which spread rapidly on social media, prompted immediate police action.

Systemic Failures Exposed

Parents had reportedly raised concerns about mistreatment with Capgemini’s management months prior, but no measures were taken, a police source told *The Telegraph*. The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights called for a state-wide review of daycare centers, citing the case as a “grave failure” in oversight. The use of household appliances as punishment underscores lax safety protocols at corporate-run facilities.

Investigations Intensify

Policing officials confirmed they recorded statements from staff and parents Friday, alongside CCTV footage and physical evidence. Vijayalakshmi’s arrest and Manjula’s interrogation may lead to expanded charges if links to the alleged abuses are proven. The search for the four missing caretakers is expected to accelerate as the case unfolds.

Policy Reforms Under Scrutiny

The Karnataka Commission’s push for a monitoring panel could spark state-level debates on childcare regulations. However, no official policy changes have been announced. For now, the case remains a stark reminder of how corporate environments can obscure accountability in vulnerable spaces.