Balak Ashram probe hints at Preet Mandir link
Balak Ashram probe hints at Preet Mandir link
It is also suspected that 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 children in the ashram.
Anti-trafficking Committee member Anuradha Sahasrabuddhe said, “We recorded 35 children’s statements at the ashram. There are mainly two findings. One is illegal adoption or sale of children at the ashram was done through another organisation and the suspicion is on Preet Mandir. Some children told us Preet Mandir social workers visited the ashram. Another finding is that children at the ashram were forced to convert. A few children said they were converted at Kedgaon in Daund and 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 some children at the ashram have been converted. “The matter should be investigated to check if they were forcible conversions,” she said.
Police also suspect that persons associated with Preet Mandir may be involved in the illegal adoption racket. Sub inspector Dattatraya Raut of Yerawada police station, investigating the case, said the name of Preet Mandir cropped up during investigations. “We will question Preet Mandir authorities soon,” he said.
A Preet Mandir spokesperson said they are not related to the Gurural Godavari Balak Ashram. “It is conspiracy to malign Preet Mandir,” he said.
The CBI had recently registered a case against a managing trustee of Preet Mandir and some state government officials for alleged involvement in kidnapping of poor children mostly from rural areas and selling them abroad.
Sahasrabuddhe said the committee would file a complaint on Monday with the Pune Police Commissioner and ask the Chief Minister and the state Home Minster to conduct a thorough investigation into the illegal adoption and conversion cases.
Vipat said Mathew asked parents of children to give an affidavit to the ashram saying their child was an orphan.
Some parents allegedly said during the inquiry that most of them got to know about the ashram, which is not registered, through some churches in the city.
Police investigation reveals that Mathew had formed an organisation named “Matrubhu Lovers Christian Association” and was running the ashram as an activity of the association.
Joint Commissioner of Police Rajendra Sonwane said, “Investigations are on into the illegal adoption case.”
He added that they had not received any complaint of any forcible conversion at the ashram.
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