A contentious child custody battle has escalated into a sensitive diplomatic matter after a Russian woman, in defiance of Indian court orders, fled to Russia with her minor child. The Russian Embassy has now entered the fray, stating it is in communication with Indian authorities regarding its citizen, while also dismissing some media reports on the issue as "speculative."The case revolves around a dispute between the Russian mother, Victoria Basu, and her Indian husband over the custody of their son. The Supreme Court of India was actively hearing the case and had established a shared custody schedule. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when the mother and child disappeared, later found to have illegally exited India by land to Nepal before flying to Russia.The Supreme Court has taken a very serious view of the woman's actions, denouncing her flight as "unacceptable" and an act of "gross contempt of court." The court had earlier directed the issuance of a lookout notice to prevent her from leaving the country, a measure that ultimately failed. Allegations have also surfaced suggesting that Russian embassy officials may have aided in her escape, a point of significant concern for the court.This development has placed the Indian government in a delicate position, trying to enforce its judicial orders while navigating the complexities of international diplomacy. The Supreme Court bench, mindful of the strong bilateral ties between India and Russia, has expressed its intention to avoid any orders that could strain the relationship. Nevertheless, the court has also voiced grave concerns about the child's welfare, raising the possibility of it being a human trafficking case.The Ministry of External Affairs and the Delhi Police have been instructed to pursue all available diplomatic and legal avenues to secure the child's return. The Additional Solicitor General, representing the central government, informed the court that efforts are underway through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to seek cooperation from Russian authorities. The court has been pushing for a collaborative effort between the Indian Embassy in Moscow and the Russian Embassy in New Delhi to resolve the impasse.Meanwhile, the child's father continues his fight for custody, having been separated from his son since May. The Supreme Court has expressed its dissatisfaction with the pace of the investigation and the "sheer negligence" of the police in failing to monitor the woman's movements despite explicit orders. The court has demanded a fresh status report as international efforts continue to locate the mother and child and bring them back under the court's jurisdiction.
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