HC summons govt official in adoption house case

The secretary of Women and Child Welfare Department has been summoned by the Bombay High Court to find out what the government proposes to do to rehabilitate the 452 children staying at the Pune adoption house, Preet Mandir.

The secretary of Women and Child Welfare Department has been summoned by the Bombay High Court to find out what the government proposes to do to rehabilitate the 452 children staying at the Pune adoption house, Preet Mandir.

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The adoption house is facing allegations of selling babies to foreigners. The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, told the high court on Wednesday that it has revoked the licence of Preet Mandir after an FIR by the CBI.

Additional solicitor general Darius Khambata, representing the Centre, submitted an affidavit filed by Jagannath Pati, deputy director with the CARA.

Pati’s affidavit states that they had decided to put inter-country adoptions by Preet Mandir on hold till the adoption house was cleared of all allegations.

On May 20, the CARA revoked recognition of Preet Mandir. The affidavit adds: “Now (after revocation of recognition) state government of Maharashtra has primary responsibility to work for the rehabilitation of children.”

As the state did not come up with a solution, the court has asked the secretary to be present.