Look-out notices issued, passports seized, and embassy conduct under scrutiny in international custody dispute.
🔰 What Is This Case About?
In a highly unusual international child custody dispute, the Supreme Court of India has intervened in a case involving a Russian woman, Victoria Basu, who allegedly absconded with her 5-year-old son in violation of a custody agreement with her Indian husband, Saikat Basu. The couple’s marriage, now under divorce proceedings, has turned into a complex legal and diplomatic standoff after the mother and child disappeared, allegedly with the help of the Russian embassy.
🔍 Key Developments:
- Supreme Court orders immediate search for the missing child and mother.
- External Affairs and Home Ministries directed to issue Look-Out Circulars (LOCs).
- Passport of Victoria Basu seized; airports and seaports under surveillance.
- Lawyer’s conduct questioned; embassy role under judicial scrutiny.
🧑⚖️ Supreme Court Cracks Down in Custody Battle
The Supreme Court bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took serious note of the disappearance of the woman and child. The court directed the Delhi Police to “trace the missing child without any loss of time” and ensure custody is handed over to the father.
🛑 Passports Seized, Borders on High Alert
Authorities have been instructed to:
- Seize Victoria Basu’s passport immediately.
- Monitor all international departure points to prevent an exit from India.
- Act on the assumption that the mother may have used diplomatic channels to flee.
⚖️ Suspicion Cast on Legal Counsel and Embassy Officials
The court questioned the credibility of the woman’s legal counsel, who claimed ignorance of her whereabouts. Justice Kant rebuked this:
“You people know everything… you think you can play with us? We will take counsels also to task… You wait…”
🏛️ Russian Embassy Allegedly Involved
According to Mr. Basu:
- His estranged wife was seen entering the Russian embassy on July 4, carrying luggage and accompanied by an embassy official.
- He believes she and the child may have fled the country with embassy help.
- He alleged a personal relationship between his wife and a Russian embassy official.
The Supreme Court has directed the External Affairs Ministry to seek permission for a search of the residence of the embassy official allegedly involved.
📅 Timeline of the Dispute
- The couple married in 2017 after meeting in China, where Mr. Basu worked as a software engineer.
- A custody agreement allowed the mother to have the child three days a week.
- The child was last seen by the father on May 22, 2025.
- Both the mother and child have been missing since July 7.
🕵️♂️ Espionage Links?
Reports state that Victoria Basu’s father is a retired FSB officer, linked to Russian intelligence. This has added a layer of complexity and national security concern to what began as a domestic dispute.
🧾 Legal Status
The couple is currently undergoing divorce proceedings in the Saket Family Court, Delhi. The custody case has now escalated to international and diplomatic dimensions.
📌 In Summary:
The Supreme Court has stepped into what appears to be an international custody battle gone rogue, with allegations of abduction, embassy assistance, and intelligence background. With look-out notices issued and passports seized, the Indian judiciary has sent a clear message—custody laws cannot be violated under the shield of diplomacy.
