Delhi Playschool Attendant Arrested for Allegedly Abusing 3-Year-Old Boy in Maujpur

Police have arrested a 35-year-old playschool attendant in Delhi's Maujpur for allegedly abusing a three-year-old boy, while the school's director, principal and a teacher have also been named in the case.

A 35-year-old attendant at a playschool in Delhi's Maujpur has been arrested for allegedly abusing a three-year-old boy, police said on Sunday.

The case was registered on Friday following a complaint filed by the child's father. Four people, including the school's director, principal, a 30-year-old teacher and the attendant, have been named as accused in the case.

Police said the attendant has been taken into custody, while the teacher has been asked to join the investigation. The roles of the school's director and principal are also being examined.

Family Notices Injuries and Behavioural Changes

The child's family reportedly became concerned after noticing physical injuries and sudden changes in his behaviour.

According to the family, the three-year-old became frightened of using the washroom and frequently cried at night. They also noticed bruises on his face and arms.

The child's father, lawyer Navneet Choudhary, said his son fell ill after returning home from school on August 18.

According to Choudhary, the child began vomiting and complained of dizziness. A paediatrician reportedly advised the family to consult an ENT specialist after noticing swelling around the child's eyes.

The ENT specialist allegedly found severe swelling in both ear canals and reportedly suspected that the child may have suffered repeated physical assault.

CCTV Footage Allegedly Shows Abuse

Following the medical examination, the family demanded access to the school's CCTV footage.

According to the child's father, school staff initially claimed there were technical problems with the CCTV system. However, the family was allegedly asked to pay Rs 1,500 to view the footage the following day.

After paying the amount, the family was shown CCTV recordings that allegedly depicted the child being subjected to physical abuse inside the playschool.

According to the father's allegations, the footage showed the toddler being pulled by his ears, tied to a chair for an extended period, kicked and repeatedly struck.

The father alleged that the child was tied near the apron area and repeatedly assaulted, including being kicked and violently pulled by his ears.

Case Registered Under POCSO, JJ Act and BNS

Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The investigation is ongoing, and police are examining the alleged involvement and responsibilities of other school officials named in the complaint.

The incident has raised serious concerns over child safety and supervision at early childhood education centres, with the investigation expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse.