'Slumdog' dad probed over sale claims

The father of Slumdog Millionaire child star Rubina Ali has reportedly been arrested amid allegations that he tried to sell the young star.

Police quizzed Rafiq Qureshi, 36, following a complaint from his ex-wife Khurshida and are now keen to obtain video footage of the meeting at which the £200,000 deal for the nine-year-old was supposedly brokered.

According to The Sun, Khurshida claimed that she knew a fortnight ago of the intended sale to a rich Dubai family but added: "My elder daughter had informed me... I did not believe he would actually go through with it."

Police official Prakash Salunke said: "We are registering her grievance and then we'll investigate and decide what further steps should be taken in the matter. When we questioned Rubina she said she does not want to go anywhere and wants to live with her father. Similarly, Rafiq Qureshi also said he has no intentions of selling her."

Christian Colson, who produced the movie, said: "Our friends and colleagues in Mumbai are trying to speak with Mr Qureshi to get to the bottom of what happened."

Ali played the youngest version of the character Latika in the Oscar-winning film.