An Australian couple has abandoned a surrogate baby in India, despite Australian consular officials pleading with the couple not to leave without the child.

Fairfax Media understands a baby boy was left behind while his parents returned to Australia.

On Wednesday night, an ABC investigation revealed that a surrogate mother gave birth to twins in India in 2012.

"They already had one sex and they didn't want the other child," Family Court Chief Justice Diana Bryant told the ABC.