AN Indian man is accused of auctioning off his six-year-old daughter to buy alcohol.

The drinker, a wage labourer named by The Times of India as Krishnaiah, 40, was desperate to buy liquor from his local store but was turned away because he owed the owner money.

In a desperate bid to raise funds, he allegedly opted to auction off his daughter in the street, with the bidding reportedly starting at 300 rupees ($US6).

The little girl was eventually sold for 1000 rupees ($US21) but police quickly retrieved her after they were tipped off about the alleged auction in Kadapa, south-central India.

Krishnaiah was taken into custody but the buyer managed to flee, The Times said.

