Toddler Tied To Chair, Kicked, Beaten At Delhi Playschool; Teacher Booked
CCTV footage allegedly shows child being tied to a chair, kicked and repeatedly beaten inside classroom
Delhi Police have registered a case against four officials of a playschool in Jaffrabad following the alleged assault of a toddler inside a classroom, with CCTV footage purportedly showing the child being subjected to physical violence, officials said.
The case was registered on Friday after the boy’s father lodged a complaint. The accused include the school’s director, principal, a 30-year-old teacher and an attendant. Police said the teacher has been asked to join the investigation, while the roles of the director and principal are being examined.
The matter came to light after the child’s parents noticed changes in his behaviour and injuries on his body. According to police, the toddler had become frightened of going to the washroom, remained agitated and cried uncontrollably at night. He also had bruises on his face and arms.
The parents took the child to an ENT specialist, who found severe swelling in both ear canals and suspected that he had been physically assaulted, police said.
The child’s father, an advocate, subsequently approached the playschool administration and sought CCTV footage from the premises. School staff initially allegedly cited technical problems and postponed providing the footage.
When the father returned the following day, school officials allegedly demanded Rs 1,500 to allow the family to view the recordings, according to police. After the amount was paid, the parents watched the footage, which allegedly showed the child being assaulted inside the classroom.
An officer said the footage purportedly showed the toddler being pulled by his ears, tied to a chair for several hours, kicked and repeatedly hit.
Police have registered the case under relevant provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The investigation is underway, and police are examining the CCTV footage and the alleged roles of all four accused. Further details are awaited.