Capgemini has temporarily shut its on-campus daycare facility at the HAL campus in Brookfield, Bengaluru, following allegations of child abuse at the centre. The company confirmed the closure in an official statement, saying it is cooperating fully with authorities investigating the matter. The children allegedly affected are believed to be between two and three years old.

What the Company Said

'Capgemini's foremost priority is the health, safety and well-being of its employees and their families,' the company said in its statement. As a precautionary step, it announced the temporary closure of the Bengaluru facility while the investigation is under way. The company added that it is 'cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and assisting them in their efforts to establish the facts.'

The FIR and Allegations

An FIR was registered on 29 June at the HAL police station in Bengaluru, based on a complaint filed by a district child protection unit official. Five women caregivers have been named in the case under relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The alleged incidents reportedly came to light after videos purportedly showing abuse inside the childcare centre began circulating on WhatsApp.

According to the FIR, the caregivers allegedly physically mistreated and threatened toddlers when they cried. The complaint further alleged that some children were sprayed with water in their mouths using a toilet jet spray, locked inside bathrooms, made to sit on western-style toilets, and placed inside a front-loading washing machine. Police are currently investigating all allegations.

Scale and Context of the Facility

The daycare centre is located within Capgemini's HAL campus in Brookfield, one of the company's key operational hubs in Bengaluru. On-campus childcare facilities are a common employee benefit offered by large IT firms in the city, designed to support working parents — making the alleged abuse particularly alarming to the broader tech industry workforce.

Capgemini's Recent Backdrop

This development comes at a difficult period for Capgemini. In January, the company announced plans to cut up to 2,400 jobs in France, representing approximately 6 per cent of its French workforce, as it grappled with weak demand in key sectors in its home market. The Bengaluru incident adds a reputational dimension to an already challenging year for the IT services giant.

What Happens Next

Police are continuing their investigation into the allegations. The five named caregivers face charges under the Juvenile Justice Act, and further legal proceedings are expected as investigators review the circulated footage and gather evidence. The daycare facility will remain closed until authorities conclude their inquiry, according to the company's statement.