The Supreme Court has issued a lookout notice against Russian woman Victoria Basu. She is absconding with her 5-year-old son. The court has ordered the seizure of her passport and surveillance at airports.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ordered the issuance of a lookout notice against Russian woman Victoria Basu in an extraordinary child custody case. The woman is accused of attempting to flee the country with her 5-year-old son. The court has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Delhi Police to be vigilant and seize the woman's passport.
Supreme Court's Strict Stance
Taking a serious stance in an unusual child custody case, the Supreme Court has directed the central government to issue a lookout notice against Russian woman Victoria Basu. The court took this step due to the apprehension that the woman may abscond with her 5-year-old son. The court said that any negligence in this matter could have serious consequences.
Passport Seizure and Vigilance at Borders
The court has directed the seizure of Victoria Basu's passport and vigilance at all airports and seaports. The order states that the woman may try to leave the country, so immigration officials must be vigilant at all costs.
First Meeting Happened in China
The beginning of this case is linked to a meeting in China. A man named Saikat Basu met Russian woman Victoria while working in China. The two fell in love and got married in India in 2017. Initially, everything was normal, but over time, cracks appeared in the relationship.
Bitterness Increased in the Relationship, Leading to Divorce
After a few years of marriage, differences arose between the two. The matter escalated to the point that a divorce petition had to be filed in the Saket Family Court in Delhi. However, there was an agreement between the two regarding the custody of the child, according to which the child would stay with his mother for three days a week.
Child Missing Since May 22
Saikat Basu stated that he last saw his son on May 22, when the child was with his mother. He has been missing since then. Saikat suspects that Victoria has fled with her son and may now be in another country. He also told the court that the woman is having an affair with an official of the Russian Embassy.
Contact with the Russian Embassy and Demand for Investigation
Saikat claims that he saw Victoria quietly entering the Russian Embassy through the back door. Based on this, he suspects that the woman may have the support of some officials of the embassy. On this, the Supreme Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to consider the process of searching the Delhi residence of the embassy official.
Court's Reprimand and Strict Instructions
Considering the seriousness of the matter, the bench of Justice Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi has given strict instructions to the Delhi Police to trace the child as soon as possible and hand over his custody to the father. The court also expressed displeasure at the role of Victoria's lawyer, who had denied having any information about the woman's whereabouts and situation.
The Supreme Court has entrusted the responsibility to both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs to work in coordination. Given the sensitivity of the matter, it is necessary to monitor the woman's activities and prevent her potential travel abroad.
