Preet Mandir to be under CBI scanner

Mayura Janwalkar

The Bombay High Court on Thursday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate into irregularities pointed out in the operation of Preet Mandir, an adoption centre in Pune.

The court has directed that foreign adoptions from Preet Mandir be stayed as there were 29-30 cases in the family courts in Pune and investigations by the CBI were also pending. The CBI has been directed to submit a report to the court after conducting the investigations.

Adwait Foundation, an NGO, had filed a petition in the High Court last year following a sting operation by a TV channel which showed that Preet Mandir was handing over babies for adoption to foreign couples and charging them an exorbitant amount.