Investigations by the state Anti-trafficking Committee and the Child Welfare Committee into the illegal adoption racket have revealed probable links between Gurukul Godavari Balak Ashram and Preet Mandir,an adoption centre in the city. It is also suspected that the Gurukul Godavari Balak Ashram head Mathew Yanmal,arrested for allegedly selling an HIV-positive baby the baby died later to a Mumbai couple,was involved in conversion of some of the children in the ashram. Anti-trafficking Committee member Anuradha Sahasrabuddhe said,We recorded 35 childrens statements at the ashram. There are mainly two findings. One is illegal adoption or sale of children at the ashram,done through another organisation and the suspicion is on Preet Mandir. Some children told us that Preet Mandir workers visited the ashram. Another finding is that children were forced to convert. A few children said they were converted at Kedgaon in Daund and had their Hindu names changed. We suspect Mathew carried out illegal conversions. Child Welfare Committee member Anita Vipat said about 20 children at the ashram mentioned Preet Mandir. Some children said before coming to the ashram,they were taken to Preet Mandir. There are several adoption centres in Pune. But the children mentioned only Preet Mandir. Vipat also said that some children had been converted. Police also suspect that persons associated with Preet Mandir may be involved in the illegal adoption racket. Sub inspector Dattatraya Raut,investigating the case,said the name of Preet Mandir cropped up during investigations. We will question Preet Mandir authorities soon, he said. Preet Mandir spokesperson claimed they were not related to the ashram. CBI had recently registered a case against a managing trustee of Preet Mandir and some state officials for kidnapping poor children,mostly from rural areas,and selling them abroad. Sahasrabuddhe said the committee would file a complaint on Monday with Pune Police Commissioner and ask the CM and state Home Minster to conduct a thorough probe into the cases. Vipat said Mathew asked parents to give an affidavit to the ashram saying their child was an orphan. Some parents have allegedly said during the inquiry that most of them found out about the unregistered ashram through some churches in the city. Probe revealed that Mathew had formed an organisation Matrubhu Lovers Christian Association and was running the ashram as an activity of the association. JCP Rajendra Sonwane said they had not received any complaint of any forcible conversion at the ashram.
