New Delhi: A 35-year-old playschool attendant has been arrested after a three-year-old boy was subjected to physical abuse at a playschool in northeast Delhi, the police said on Sunday.
The incident came to light after the child’s parents noticed a sudden change in his behaviour and injuries on his body, as reported by News18.
The child had become scared of using the washroom, remained unusually agitated and cried uncontrollably at night, the police said. His parents also noticed bruises on his face and arms, prompting them to seek medical attention.
He was taken to an ENT specialist, who found severe swelling in both ear canals and suspected physical assault. The child was subsequently taken to GTB Hospital for a comprehensive medical examination. The police said the medical examination documents recorded abrasions on his face and arms.
The child’s father, an advocate, approached the school administration and sought CCTV footage from the premises, expressing concern about what may have happened at the playschool, ,
The school staff initially told the father that the CCTV system was facing technical glitches and deferred his request to view the recordings, the police said.
When he returned the following day, the school officials allegedly demanded Rs 1,500 to show him the footage. After the family paid the amount, they were allowed to view the recordings.
The footage showed the child being subjected to physical violence at the playschool, the police said.
The CCTV footage showed the toddler being pulled by his ears, tied to a chair for hours, kicked and repeatedly struck, an official said.
Playschool staff allegedly tried to blame the child and pointed to his behaviour in an attempt to justify the alleged physical abuse. The child’s family then approached the police on Friday. Following their complaint, police reached the playschool, seized the CCTV DVR and registered an FIR.
The playschool’s director, principal, teacher and attendant/caretaker have been named as accused in the case. They have been booked under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the police said.
While the attendant has been arrested, the 30-year-old teacher has been asked to join the investigation. Police are also examining the roles of the director and principal.
The police said the allegations are being examined using the CCTV footage, medical examination reports and other available evidence.