We hope it’s not a case of child trafficking, says SC as Russian woman, child remain missing
The Supreme Court on Friday voiced concern over the missing Russian woman, Victoria Basu, and her four-year-old son, who allegedly fled India through Nepal amid a custody dispute. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi noted the lack of cooperation from the Russian Embassy. The court granted the Centre two more weeks to seek help from Russian officials as it reviewed reports from the MEA and Delhi Police on efforts to trace the duo.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the lack of a clear response from the Russian Embassy regarding the whereabouts of a Russian woman, Victoria Basu, who allegedly fled to her home country with her four-year-old son amid an ongoing custody dispute with her estranged Indian husband. The Centre informed the court that Victoria is suspected to have crossed into Nepal with the child before reaching Russia.
"We do not want to pass any order that impacts relations between the two countries but it is also an important matter as it is about a kid!" a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said after being told that substantial assistance from the Russian Embassy was still awaited.
"We can only hope that the child is well and healthy as he is with the mother. But we hope it is not a case of child trafficking and he is not indulging in other exploitative activities in Russia," the bench added, while granting authorities two additional weeks to seek help from Russian officials.
Putin visit on horizon
The hearing came as India and Russia mark 25 years of their strategic partnership, with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India expected in early December. The apex court reviewed separate status reports from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Delhi Police detailing efforts to trace Victoria and the child. The boy’s father, Saikat Basu, said he had no knowledge of their whereabouts while the custody case remains unresolved.
No help from Moscow
According to the MEA, the Indian Embassy in Moscow contacted Russian authorities but received no cooperation. It added that it is working with the Delhi Police to identify and question individuals in Nepal who allegedly assisted Victoria in leaving India. The Delhi Police said it approached both the Russian Embassy and the Bank of Russia—where Victoria reportedly held accounts—but received no response.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court she personally reached out to Embassy officials but "did not get much help.” "We are roadblocked on data from the Russian side, despite best efforts," the Centre told the court.
Court warned of strict action
Victoria, a Russian national, has lived in India since 2019 on an X-1 visa, which was periodically extended by the Supreme Court during the legal proceedings. In August, the court directed the MEA to engage Interpol and the Indian Embassy in Moscow to locate Victoria, observing that the child had been "snatched away” from its custody and warning the Centre and Delhi Police of "harshest of orders.”
"The matrimonial dispute and custody battle were pending with us, and we had not given custody to either father or mother. The child has been snatched away from the custody of the Supreme Court of India," the bench said. Justice Surya Kant also reprimanded the Delhi Police for "negligence,” saying it would be held accountable for failing to act promptly on Saikat Basu’s complaint, which could have prevented Victoria’s escape.