Toddler-beating tutor finally arrested in Kolkata

Private tutor Pooja Singh, who was caught on video brutally thrashing a three-and-a-half-year-old child here, was finally arrested Friday, police said.

On the run after a police complaint was filed Wednesday, she was nabbed from Rashbehari area in the city.

"She was hiding at a relative's place. Following a tip off, we have arrested her. She will be presented before a court Saturday," said an officer of the Lake Town police station in northeast Kolkata.

In the TV footage of the incident which has now gone viral, Singh is seen kicking the child in the chest at least twice, hurling him head first on the bed and punching him on the face indiscriminately even as the toddler begged for mercy.

Police, who had dispatched teams in the neighbouring states in her pursuit, described Singh as "largely psycho", who often brutally beat up her own child and children of relatives.

The incident has attracted widespread condemnation and shock with state Child Welfare Minister Shashi Panja submitting a report to the Chief Minister's Office regarding the incident.

The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights too has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident.