Parents of toddlers enrolled at the Little Scholars daycare facility inside the Capgemini IT campus in Brookefield, Bengaluru, have reported severe behavioral changes in their children following the exposure of alleged abuse.
A couple working as software professionals told police that their two-and-a-half-year-old daughter developed an intense fear of bathrooms after attending the facility for eight months.
The investigation escalated after viral video footage showed caretakers yelling at and locking a crying toddler inside a restroom.
Police, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammad Sujeetha, have interviewed affected families.
The parents of a three-year-old boy said their child showed no behavioral changes, but they frequently noticed other children reacting with fear when certain female caretakers shouted.
“While dropping or picking him up, we noticed that children would show signs of fear and anxiety on hearing the voices of some female caretakers,” the parents stated.
An anonymous senior police officer clarified that investigators found no evidence to support claims regarding the use of washing machines or toilet jets to discipline children.
“However, the videos clearly show caretakers yelling at toddlers and threatening them to control their behaviour.
One video shows a nanny, Vijayalakshmi, locking a child inside the bathroom for crying,” the officer said.
Police arrested 55-year-old caretaker Vijayalakshmi on Friday after video evidence showed her locking a toddler in the bathroom.
Authorities continue to question four additional caretakers.
Labor Department Scrutiny
The investigation also drew scrutiny from the labor department, which discovered that caretakers were paid 8,000 rupees monthly instead of the mandated 25,000 rupees minimum wage.
“As per the guidelines laid down by the labor department, the salaries should be a minimum of Rs 25,000.
The caretakers, in their statement, have claimed that they were given Rs 8,000 a month,” a senior police officer stated.
Labor officials have contacted police to obtain the statements and will approach the firm that ran the daycare center.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge criticized Capgemini for administrative lapses and failing to conduct proper background checks on the external daycare staff.
“Such international companies will have standard operating procedures related to many administrative matters, including running daycare. I don’t think Capgemini have followed any SOP here or acted responsibly.
They haven’t properly done background checks on staffers,” Kharge said.
“We have zero tolerance towards Capgemini in this matter. We’ve asked them to give a detailed clarification.
An incident of this nature not only damages the companies, but also the image of our Brand Bengaluru,” he added.
Capgemini Response
Capgemini issued an official statement on Friday confirming the temporary closure of the facility and detailing support packages for impacted employee families.
“At Capgemini, the safety and wellbeing of every child remain our highest priority.
The situation reported at the daycare facility in Bengaluru, operated by the external provider Little Scholars, is being treated with the utmost seriousness.
Our first thoughts are with the children and their families. We are extending all our support to them,” the statement read.
The IT firm noted that its external providers are typically subjected to rigorous due diligence and compliance processes.
“Our daycare providers are subject to rigorous due diligence and compliance checks. These facilities support our employees, who entrust their children to these centres.
This is an important part of our commitment to our team members,” the firm added.
Capgemini’s immediate response measures include dedicated counseling through internal programs, flexible work-from-home arrangements, and a helpline facility.
The company emphasized its focus on legal cooperation to ensure accountability.
