CHIKBALLAPUR: A three-month-old girl was sold by a farmer and his wife for Rs 1 lakh in order to buy a new bike and mobile phone. The shocking incident took place in Chikballapur district in Karnataka where the child was sold to a childless couple from Bengaluru. Following a complaint, the child was rescued by the Women and Child Welfare Department and a case was registered against the child's father.

According to sources, the mother has been arrested while the father is on the run. The couple, who were living in Tinakal village in the district, was also accused of attempting to sell the child right after its birth. The incident came to light after a few neighbours got suspicious when they saw a new bike in front of the couple's house while the child appeared to be missing for the past few days. Later they informed the officials regarding their suspicion and the girl's mother was subsequently questioned by the police. Thus it was found that the child was sold to a couple from Bengaluru for Rs 1 lakh. The child was later rescued and handed over to an adoption centre under the state government.