Bengaluru: Little Scholars, the daycare centre at the centre of the Bengaluru infant abuse case, has denied allegations of mistreatment and alleged that two former employees deliberately staged and circulated videos of children to extort money and damage the institution’s reputation.
In a statement, the daycare claimed that the two caregivers were dismissed following a workplace altercation and subsequently launched a campaign to seek revenge and pressure the management into reinstating them.
Daycare alleges videos were deliberately staged
According to the management, the dismissed employees violated strict workplace rules by secretly bringing mobile phones into the facility. It alleged that they deliberately moved children to areas outside CCTV surveillance before recording distressing videos involving infants.
The daycare further claimed that the videos were later circulated online in an attempt to tarnish the institution’s image.
Management alleges extortion attempt
The organisation also alleged that an extortion bid followed the circulation of the videos. It claimed that a person posing as a police officer demanded ₹2.5 lakh from the management in exchange for resolving the matter.
Little Scholars said it has handed over CCTV footage, financial records and other relevant evidence to the investigating authorities and is fully cooperating with the ongoing probe.
Police continue investigation
The daycare’s statement comes after videos purportedly showing abuse of children at the facility surfaced on social media, leading police to register a case and arrest two former caregivers.
While the management has strongly denied the allegations and accused the former employees of orchestrating the incident, these claims have not been independently verified.
Police are examining all available evidence, including CCTV footage and digital material, to establish the sequence of events and determine responsibility. Authorities have said further action will be based on the findings of the investigation.