INDIA - Don't treat kids in adoption centres like commodities: HC

Don't treat kids in adoption centres like commodities

HC - Rebecca Samervel, TNN, Jul 2, 2010, 06.39am IST

MUMBAI: "We should not talk about the rich culture and heritage of our country if we treat children in adoption homes as commodities." This is what the Bombay high court said on Thursday while expressing its
anger at the state of adoption process in India.

A division bench, comprising Justice B H Marlapalle and Justice Anoop Mohta, was hearing petitions filed by NGOs Advait Foundation and Sakhee seeking action against the Pune-based Preet Mandir, alleging
various irregularities by the adoption centre.

Expressing concern for the 450 children at Preet Mandir, the court had earlier asked the Central Adoption Resource Agency (CARA) to take a decision about the rehabilitation of these children. Arguing for Preet
Mandir, senior counsel Prasad Dhakephalkar said that closing down the adoption centre would not serve any purpose. "Kids are not vegetables or cattle to be shifted from one place to another. The petition is
based on a TV news report and should not be given much credence."

Justice Marlapalle said the matter has to be looked at in its totality by the state government. "On one hand, we must take into consideration the actual number of unwed mothers and those selling off children due
to poverty. We only hope that these (adoption centres) will not be breeding farms. Let us not treat children as pets."

Expressing his dissatisfaction, Justice Marlapalle said that even government-run centres are full of malpractices. "It is the state's responsibility to rehabilitate the children in adoption centres.
However, these are slowly turning into corporate ventures. Adoption centres charge more for a baby who is fair looking while an HIV positive child is offered at a discount,"he added.

At the last hearing, the judges were informed that Cara has revoked the licence issued to Preet Mandir in 2007. The adoption centre has challenged the revocation of their licence before a different bench of
the court and secured a stay. The judges said in view of the stay, the petitions could be clubbed and various issues could be raised before the other bench. The court will hear the matter after four weeks.