The Russian mother – Victoria Basu – who allegedly absconded with her four-year-old boy in a child dispute case with the Indian father (Saikat Basu), has not left the country through legal channels, the Central government informed Supreme Court on Friday, adding, she still remains ‘untraceable’.
Appearing for the centre and Delhi Police, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said that the Ministry of Home Affairs have issued ‘look out notices’ and ‘hue and cry’ notices to all senior police officials across the country to trace the missing Russian woman.
A bench led by Justice Surya Kant while flagging several issues, directed the authorities to immediately inquire with Railway officials and other means of public transport to trace any moment of the missing lady and the child.
Apart from this, the apex court bench also directed the Delhi police to check CCTV footage of all entry and exits of Delhi NCR in their ongoing probe to find the Russian woman and the child.
“They need to do something very quickly”, Justice Surya Kant said and posted the matter to 21 July.
Earlier on Thursday, the apex court had asked the Centre to issue a look out notice with regard to the woman and the minor to ensure she did not leave the country. It had also directed senior Delhi Police officials to immediately trace a child of a Russian mother and an Indian father.
The bench also directed the authorities to seize her passport and inform all international airports and other ports within India, and the immigration authorities to ensure they did not leave the country.
What is the case?
As per the details, the Indian father is fighting a custody battle for the child with the estranged Russian wife. He has alleged that the woman wasn’t complying with the court’s order of custody of the minor.
Saikat Basu also claimed he is unaware of the whereabouts of his wife (Victoria Basu) and the child since 7 July. The man even claimed that despite several complaints, no action was taken.
On 22 May, the apex court directed that the exclusive custody of the child was given to the mother for three days in a week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. While the child was directed to remain in the exclusive custody of his father for the remaining days.
It also directed the Deputy Commissioners of Police (South East and South) and the station house officers of Lajpat Nagar and Defence Colony Police stations to maintain a discreet but effective vigil over the residential premises of both parties.
The woman is a Russian citizen, residing in India since 2019, initially coming to India on an X-1 Visa, which expired subsequently.