B’luru daycare Child abuse: Accused caretaker Vijayalakshmi sent to 14-day judicial custody

July 3, 2026

Bengaluru: Vijayalakshmi, one of the five accused in the Bengaluru daycare abuse case, was on Friday remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by the 29th Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court after being arrested based on video evidence allegedly showing her assaulting toddlers.

She has been lodged at the Bengaluru Central Prison. Meanwhile, the HAL Police have detained another accused in the case, and the formalities for her arrest are expected to be completed shortly. Efforts are continuing to trace the remaining absconding accused, police said.

According to the Bengaluru Commissioner, the woman is named as the alleged accused in the FIR registered in the case. She was identified during verification of video footage that surfaced in connection with the alleged abuse of the child and was subsequently taken into custody.

Also Read: Bengaluru Daycare Abuse: Two Nabbed as Karnataka Govt Vows Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse

Reacting to the incident, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge termed the alleged assault “absolutely unacceptable” and warned that such actions would not be tolerated.

Police said the alleged abuse came to light after one of the daycare staff members, identified as Sujata, was removed from service. She has also been questioned by the police as part of the investigation. The police have seized Sujata’s mobile phone and are attempting to retrieve data from the device to gather further evidence. The investigation is continuing, with police examining digital evidence and recording statements from witnesses as they seek to establish the full sequence of events surrounding the alleged abuse at the daycare centre.

What does Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge says?

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday asserted that the government has “zero tolerance” for such incidents. A special police team has been formed to track down the absconding accused who are seen in the shocking videos. Three other staff members have already been questioned and have been directed to appear before the police as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police have also recorded statements from the parents of three children who attended the daycare centre. In all, around eight to ten staff members have been questioned as investigators continue to collect evidence and verify the allegations.

Responding to the incident, Kharge said the government has adopted a “zero tolerance” approach towards crimes involving children and has sought a detailed report from the concerned department. “We have zero tolerance regarding this incident. We have already sought information and clarification from the department. Reputed companies have guidelines and policies that are followed globally, not just in India. They must abide by them. Daycare centres and crèches will have to follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs),” Kharge said. He stressed that background verification of daycare staff should have been carried out before their appointment.

“They need to verify and conduct background checks on the staff. It appears that was not done. No matter which company it is, especially when it involves toddlers and children below five to ten years of age, much higher standards are expected from global companies,” he said. The case came to light after disturbing videos allegedly showing toddlers being physically assaulted inside the Society General Baby Care Centre, operating on the premises of a private firm in Brookefield, surfaced on social media and were forwarded to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).