Tutor who beat up toddler sent to custody

Kolkata, July 26 (IANS) Private tutor Pooja Singh, arrested for brutally thrashing a three-and-a-half-year-old child in the city, was remanded to five day's police custody by a court Saturday.

She was caught on tape mercilessly thrashing the toddler and was arrested Friday. She was presented before a court during the day.

"She has been booked under several offences, including attempt to commit culpable homicide," said a police officer.

Singh was on the run since Wednesday when the child's parents filed a police complaint.

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 a "psycho", who often brutally beats up her own child and children of relatives.

The incident incited widespread condemnation and shock with state Child Welfare Minister Shashi Panja submitting a report to the Chief Minister's Office on the same.

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