Maneka Gandhi asks states to examine all Missionaries of Charity institutes
New Delhi, July 17 (IBNS): In the wake of reports of alleged child trafficking in Ranchi Missionaries of Charity, Union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi asked all states to examine similar institutes, media reports said.
A statement issued by the ministry has been quoted by The Indian Express: "Taking cognizance of the recent cases of illegal adoptions carried out by Missionaries of Charity in Jharkhand, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has instructed the states to get child care homes run by Missionaries of Charity all over the country inspected immediately."
The nun and Anima Indwar, another employee of Nirmal Hriday, run by Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, were arrested on July 4 for allegedly selling infants born to unwed mothers, who deliver babies at the institution, for adoption, media reports said.
The arrests were made on the basis of a complaint filed by Child Welfare Committee's Ranchi unit chief Rupa Verma.
An FIR has been lodged under Section 370 of Indian Penal Code.
The FIR was lodged based on the complaint of Child Welfare Committee.
The fact that a child was missing from the institution came to light when CWC members went on regular inspection.
On being questioned, a nun told CWC members that the mother of the newborn child has taken him away.
When the mother was contacted, she said she did not have the child with her.
On further probe, it was revealed that the child was sold to a UP-based family for Rs 1.2 lakhs.
The UP family reportedly told CWC that the money was taken from them as "hospital fees."
While Missionaries of Charity stopped adoption in 2015, the Ranchi based unit continued to do so.
Image: facebook.comManekaGandhiOfficial
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