Hyderabad, Oct. 23 -- A 17-year-old in Odisha sold his 26 year old wife for Rs 1.87 lakh to a 55 year old man in Rajasthan where the couple had gone to work.

The police said that after their marriage in July, the minor along with his wife traveled to Rajasthan in August to work in a brick kiln. After a few days of work, the 17-year-old sold his wife to a man from Baran district for Rs 1.87 lakh. "The boy then lavishly spent the money on food and bought himself a smart phone," they added.

The boy later returned to his village and claimed that his wife had deserted them. The boy's in-laws lodged a complaint with the Balangir police suspicious of the boy. The police checked his call records to match his statement and located the girl.

The...