Pramesh S Jain
The prime accused in the Capgemini daycare abuse case who is on the run has been granted anticipatory bail by the Bengaluru court on Thursday .
The accused Manjula,the caregiver and supervisor of a daycare centre who has been named as Accused No.1 in a case involving alleged cruelty to children and as absconding soon after FIR is registered against her .
The FIR was registered based on a tip-off received through the Childline 1098 helpline. Manjula was booked under Section 351(2)of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),which pertains to assault or use of criminal force, and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act,2015,which deals with cruelty to children by a person having actual charge or control over them.
Both offences carry a maximum punishment of up to three years’ imprisonment.
Despite securing anticipatory bail,Manjula has not yet appeared before the investigating officer.Police said efforts are on to trace her.
“The accused has been granted anticipatory bail.We are awaiting her appearance before us for questioning in accordance with the court’s directions,”a senior police officer said.
The HAL police confirmed that anticipatory bail had been granted to the accused and said she is expected to appear before them for bail formalities and will be questioned .
Investigators are also probing the circumstances surrounding the alleged leakage of the video that brought the incident to light and are examining whether it was circulated with any ulterior motive.
