A couple in Andhra Pradesh sold their 12-year-old daughter for Rs 10,000 to fund the medical expenses required for her sibling, The Time of India reported.
The incident occurred in the state's Nellore district on Wednesday and came to light after locals alerted the Integrated Child Development Services, who rescued the girl from one Chinna Subbaiah, who alleged he had married the minor, the report said.
According to officials, the girl's elder sister was suffering from a respiratory illness, and her parents, who are daily wage workers, could not afford treatment, leading them to sell their younger daughter to Subbaiah.
According to the police, Subbaiah bought the girl from her parents, married her and brought her to his relatives' house in Dampur village on Wednesday night.
When the girl was heard screaming and crying by her neighbours, they went to confront Subbaiah, who admitted to the entire episode as if there was nothing wrong with it, an ICDS official said according to the report.
The girl was shifted to a district child care centre for counselling. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case against Subbaiah.