The Missionaries of Charity is set to be investigated by the Indian Government

A charity founded by Mother Teresa is facing an investigation amid claims it has been selling babies.

The Indian Government has asked to inspect centres run by the Missionaries of Charity across the sub-continent.

The organisation was established by the nun, now known as Saint Teresa of Calcutta, in 1950 and runs welfare centres across India.

The government intervened after a nun and an employee were arrested earlier this month for allegedly selling a baby in the eastern state of Jharkhand.

Police arrested the two accused on 5 July after Jharkhand's Child Welfare Committee registered a complaint that the infant was missing from the centre's home for unmarried pregnant women.

The baby, according to the police, had allegedly been sold to a couple who believed they were paying for the mother's hospital expenses.

The charity said it had been shocked by the news and launched its own investigation.

“We are completely shocked by what has happened in our home in Ranchi,” a statement from the Missionaries of Charity said.

“It should have never happened. It is against our moral convictions. We are carefully looking into the matter.”