Officials from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), along with the city police, are inquiring into the alleged sale of an infant girl. According to sources, Kavitha, wife of Srinivasan and a resident of Santhanakadu near Ariyanoor, gave birth to a girl at a government hospital on June 17. The newborn was the couple’s fourth child and the third daughter.

Meanwhile, the CWC officials received information through Childline that the newborn was sold to a couple from Ramanathapuram district reportedly for ₹2 lakh. Subsequently, the CWC alerted the Kondalampatti police, who rescued the child on Thursday evening.

Officials attached to the CWC said the two couples knew each other. An inquiry was under way with the Salem and Ramanathapuram couples regarding the money transaction.

“Only after the investigation will we know whether any money was involved. The infant is under the protection of the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU),” an official said.