Supreme Court cautious to protect India-Russia ties in custody dispute involving Russian woman and Indian child
The Supreme Court is handling a custody dispute involving a Russian woman who fled India with her child to Moscow, emphasizing it does not want to damage India-Russia relations. It directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Delhi Police to intensify efforts to trace the woman and child, coordinating with Russian and Nepalese authorities under legal frameworks like the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT).
The Supreme Court of India is overseeing a complex custody case where a Russian woman, Victoria Basu, fled India with her child amid a bitter custody dispute with the child's Indian father. The court expressed concerns about the diplomatic sensitivity of the matter, stating it does not want to issue orders that might strain the long-standing India-Russia relationship. The court highlighted the coordination challenges faced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian and Russian embassies, and law enforcement agencies. Efforts have been made through diplomatic channels and legal instruments such as the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty to trace the woman and child, who reportedly traveled via Nepal and Sharjah to Russia. Despite assistance requests, progress has been limited, with the Russian side providing little cooperation and banking secrecy laws hindering investigations involving financial transactions. The court also noted the alleged involvement of Russian embassy officials in facilitating the woman’s travel out of India. The child’s custody was previously split between the parents by the Supreme Court, but with the child now with the mother abroad, authorities are under pressure to restore the court-ordered custody arrangement. The case has raised concerns about potential human trafficking, complicating the legal and diplomatic responses. The court has granted a timeline for updated status reports and expects enhanced efforts from all involved government bodies to resolve the issue without harming bilateral ties.
