NHRC takes suo motu cognisance of Bengaluru daycare abuse at Capgemini campus
Synopsis
India's top human rights body has stepped in after videos allegedly showing toddlers being placed inside a washing machine and locked in toilets at a Capgemini campus daycare in Bengaluru went viral. With an SIT formed, one arrest made, and the NHRC now demanding a state report within two weeks, the case has exposed a glaring regulatory gap in corporate childcare facilities nationwide.
Key Takeaways
The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of alleged toddler abuse at a daycare on the Capgemini campus in Bengaluru on 3 July .
Notices issued to the Karnataka Chief Secretary and DGP , with a report sought within two weeks .
An FIR was registered at HAL Police Station against five caregivers : Manjula, Vijayalakshmi, Bhavani, Sindhu , and Bindu .
Vijayalakshmi has been arrested; a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case.
Capgemini has temporarily closed its on-campus daycare facility and is cooperating with authorities.
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge declared 'zero tolerance' for child crimes and called for strict SOP compliance at all daycare centres.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports alleging inhuman treatment of toddlers by caregivers at a daycare centre on the premises of an IT company in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The apex human rights body, observing that the reported contents — if true — constitute a serious violation of human rights, has issued notices to the Karnataka Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
What the Videos Allegedly Show
The incident came to light after a Child Helpline official received videos purportedly depicting cruelty towards toddlers of working professionals who had left their children at the facility. According to reports, the footage allegedly showed caregivers placing toddlers inside a washing machine, spraying water into their mouths using a toilet jet spray, locking them inside toilets to silence them, forcing them to sit on western-style commodes, and threatening them when they cried.
The videos were subsequently forwarded to the Child Welfare Committee after circulating on social media, triggering a swift administrative and legal response.
Capgemini's Response and Facility Closure
Capgemini announced the temporary closure of its on-campus daycare facility in Bengaluru, stating that the health, safety, and well-being of its employees and their families remain its foremost priority. The company said it is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities and assisting in efforts to establish the facts.
The NHRC also noted that the daycare facility has been temporarily shut as a precautionary measure pending investigation.
FIR, Arrests, and SIT Formation
Police registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the HAL Police Station against five caregivers — identified as Manjula, Vijayalakshmi, Bhavani, Sindhu, and Bindu — under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
Of the five accused, Vijayalakshmi has been arrested and another has been detained by HAL Police. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case, and efforts are underway to trace the remaining absconding accused.
Government's Zero-Tolerance Stance
Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge asserted that the government maintains 'zero tolerance' for crimes involving children. He stated that daycare centres must strictly adhere to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including thorough background verification of all staff members.
Police are continuing to verify the authenticity of the videos, examine CCTV footage, record statements of parents and witnesses, and gather further evidence to build the case.
What Happens Next
The NHRC's two-week deadline for a report from Karnataka authorities puts the state government under formal scrutiny. With an SIT now active and multiple accused still at large, the investigation is expected to intensify in the coming days. The case has also reignited a broader national debate on the regulation and oversight of corporate daycare facilities across India.
Point of View
But the deeper failure here is structural: corporate daycare facilities in India operate in a near-regulatory vacuum, with no mandatory national framework for staff background checks, surprise inspections, or CCTV monitoring. The Capgemini case is not an isolated incident — it is a symptom of a sector that has scaled rapidly alongside India's IT workforce without commensurate oversight. Karnataka's 'zero tolerance' declaration rings hollow unless it is followed by enforceable SOP mandates across all employer-run childcare facilities. The SIT's ability to trace the absconding accused and authenticate the videos will determine whether accountability is real or performative.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NHRC suo motu case on Bengaluru daycare abuse?
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports alleging that caregivers at a daycare centre on the Capgemini campus in Bengaluru subjected toddlers to inhuman treatment. The NHRC has issued notices to the Karnataka Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report within two weeks.
What did the videos allegedly show at the Capgemini daycare?
The videos purportedly showed caregivers placing toddlers inside a washing machine, spraying water into their mouths using a toilet jet spray, locking them in toilets, forcing them to sit on western-style commodes, and threatening them when they cried. Police are working to verify the authenticity of the footage.
Who are the accused in the Bengaluru daycare abuse case?
Five caregivers — Manjula, Vijayalakshmi, Bhavani, Sindhu, and Bindu — have been named in the FIR registered at HAL Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Vijayalakshmi has been arrested and another accused detained; efforts are underway to trace the remaining accused.
What action has Capgemini taken following the daycare abuse allegations?
Capgemini has temporarily closed its on-campus daycare facility in Bengaluru as a precautionary measure. The company stated that the safety and well-being of its employees and their families is its foremost priority and that it is fully cooperating with the investigating authorities.
What is the Karnataka government doing about the daycare abuse case?
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the case. Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge has declared zero tolerance for crimes involving children and called for strict adherence to SOPs, including background verification of daycare staff. Police are also examining CCTV footage and recording statements from parents and witnesses.
