Toddlers put in washing machine, abused with jet spray in Bengaluru daycare horror

Disturbing visuals from a daycare operating inside Bengaluru's Capgemini campus have sparked widespread outrage, prompting police to register an FIR against five women caregivers and launch an investigation into the alleged abuse of children.

In Short

• Toddlers in Bengaluru daycare allegedly abused with harsh punishments
• Children made to sit inside washing machine drum and sprayed with water
• Police registered FIR against 5 women caregivers

A parent's worst daycare nightmare came true in Bengaluru, where children as young as two were allegedly subjected to horrifying punishments simply for crying. Disturbing footage from the daycare centre shows toddlers being forced to sit inside the drum of a front-loading washing machine, having water sprayed into their mouths with a jet spray, and being locked inside bathrooms as punishment.

The visuals are from a daycare operating inside the French MNC Capgemini's Bengaluru campus and have sparked widespread outrage, prompting police to register an FIR against five women and launch an investigation into the alleged abuse of children. It remains unclear whether the daycare is operated by Capgemini or by an external service provider functioning from within the company's premises.

The case came to light after the videos of the torture surfaced on social media, exposing what investigators are probing as repeated acts of abuse at the daycare centre.

According to the complaint, the women allegedly intimidated toddlers, whose parents had left them at the daycare while they were at work, by making them sit inside the drum of a front-loading washing machine, forcing them onto a Western-style toilet, spraying water into their mouths using a bidet and locking them inside a bathroom to stop them from crying.

The police are recording statements from complainants, daycare staff and other witnesses as part of the investigation. They said further action will depend on the evidence collected during the probe.

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police for Bengaluru City, Seemanth Kumar Singh, called it a very serious incident and assured strict action against those found to be involved in or supporting such acts.

"As per the complaint, five names have been mentioned of the women staff who are working in a daycare facility in an IT sector company. We are currently going through the complaint and the videos that have been submitted as part of it. We are verifying the facts. Whatever has happened is a very serious issue, and we will take strict action. We were not aware of this incident earlier, but as soon as we came to know about it, a case was immediately registered," Singh said.

"A Deputy Commissioner-rank officer, a lady officer, has been deputed for this case, and both she and the Joint Commissioner (East) are looking into the matter... The main concern is that the perpetrators should not escape accountability. If anyone is found to be involved or supporting such acts, strict action will be taken," he added.

The case has also reached the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights after a petition sought its intervention. The commission is expected to seek a report from the authorities and conduct an independent examination of the allegations.

Police are continuing to verify the footage and establish the sequence of events.

- Ends