Slumdog Millionaire star Rubina Ali is at the centre of shocking scandal, which claims her father tried to sell her for £200,000.
The nine-year-old - who starred as a young Latika in Danny Boyle's Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire - was reportedly put up for sale in Mumbai’s poverty ridden shantytowns.
Rafiq Quereshi allegedly told an undercover reporter from the News of the World, who was posing as a potential buyer: “We live in one room, seven of us sleep on the floor.
"I earn £2 to £3 a day. I have to consider what is best for me, my family and for Rubina’s future.”
Rubina's uncle Mohiuddin added, “The child is special now. This is not an ordinary child. This is an Oscar child.”
Danny Boyle takes the Slumdog cast to Santa Monica Pier (Splash News)
However, sources close to Rafiq are denying the claims.
Rubina's stepmother, Munni told The Times: “A foreign woman phoned us and offered us money. We turned her down.”
But one neighbour divulged that he knew of the alleged transaction, and revealed it would mean a better life for little Rubina.
He said: “One and a half crores of rupees is such a lot.
"Anybody here would let their child go to a better home for that sum,” he said.
Rubina's mother, Khursheed is said to be bitterly embroiled in a power struggle with Rafiq over their daughter, since becoming aware of his intentions.
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