No shifting of Preet Mandir children,for now

“No child has been transferred to any other institution. The High Court has restrained the government from taking any such step,” a Preet Mandir spokesperson said.

Confirming it,Commissioner,Women and Child Welfare department,Bajirao Jadhav,said,“We received a copy of the High Court order from Preet Mandir officials. The court has given a week’s time to Preet Mandir to present their case. Till the court hears and decides,we will not transfer any child from Preet Mandir,” said Jadhav.

Jadhav,however,said the High Court order came just when the department had completed the procedure for shifting children. “All the procedures like taking photographs,collecting records and other details of children had been completed when we received the HC order. The orders for shifting the children were also ready,” he said.

Child Welfare Committee chairperson Vijaya Sakpal also admitted the shifting of children has been stopped after the order. The order was given on June 16 and the case will come up for hearing on June 23.

“The suspension of Preet Mandir’s licence will remain in force until further orders. During the suspension of the licence,Preet Mandir can neither admit new children nor put them up for adoption. However,it can carry on with other activities in the pipeline,” he said.

Preet Mandir officials questioned the logic of the commissionerate in attempting to transfer the children. “Despite the HC directive,attempts were made to transfer children from the institute,” a spokesperson said. Now,the commissionerate too has directed Preet Mandir not to transfer children till the case is pending in court.

The Women and Child Welfare department had ordered action against the adoption centre following allegations. The adoption centre spokesperson on Friday said all allegations against Preet Mandir were false. “We are a legal adoption centre. All our activities are as per the law,” he said.

Whenever a child is admitted or given for adoption,the process has to be cleared by the Child Welfare Committee,a state quasi-judicial body. “Not only the committee,even the court sanction is necessary for admitting a child or giving a child for adoption. So where is the question of any illegality? Everything is open and fair and under official scrutiny,” he said.