Five women caregivers have been booked after toddlers were allegedly subjected to shocking abuse at a daycare centre operating inside Capgemini's HAL campus in Bengaluru, police said.
According to investigators, children aged between two and three years were allegedly forced to sit inside the drum of a front-loading washing machine, sprayed with water using a toilet jet spray, and locked inside bathrooms as punishment when they cried.
The alleged abuse came to light after videos purportedly showing the incidents surfaced on social media, triggering widespread outrage and prompting police action.
Viral Videos Trigger Police Probe
Police have registered a case against the five caregivers following the emergence of the videos. A separate complaint has also been filed before the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, according to NDTV.
"The toddlers were made to sit in washing machines, water was sprayed into their mouths and they were locked inside bathrooms to silence them when they cried," a police official said.
The videos have sparked public anger, with many demanding strict action against those responsible for the alleged abuse.
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Parents Raise Concerns Over Child Safety
The incident has left parents shaken, particularly those who entrusted the daycare with the care of their children while working at the IT company's Bengaluru campus.
The allegations have also raised serious questions about the safety standards and oversight of childcare facilities operating within corporate campuses.
The case has intensified concerns over monitoring mechanisms at workplace daycare centres and the protection of young children in such facilities.
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Capgemini Temporarily Shuts Daycare
Responding to the allegations, Capgemini said the safety and well-being of its employees and their families remain its highest priority.
In a statement, the company said, "Capgemini's foremost priority is the health, safety and well-being of its employees and their families. We are cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and assisting them in their efforts to establish the facts."
The company added that, as a precautionary measure, it has temporarily closed its on-campus daycare facility in Bengaluru while the investigation is underway.