Russian Woman at Center of Custody Battle Flees India with Minor Son, Diplomatic Tensions Rise

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A high-stakes international custody dispute has escalated after a Russian woman, Viktoriia Basu, allegedly fled India with her minor son in defiance of a Supreme Court order. The court had granted a shared-custody arrangement in May after Basu sought full custody of her child following a broken marriage. Basu arrived in India in 2019 and initially sought sole custody of her child. However, after reconciliation attempts failed, the Supreme Court in May 2023 allowed a shared-custody arrangement, allowing each parent three days a week with the child. The court also extended Basu's visa and directed the Delhi Police to keep her residence under surveillance. However, on July 7, Basu's husband informed the court that she had disappeared with the child, prompting a search by law enforcement and intervention by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The Delhi Police claimed that two Russian embassy officials were involved in arranging the vehicle that transported Basu from Delhi to the Indo-Nepal border in Bihar. The Russian embassy has denied any involvement in Basu's escape, stating that the allegations are 'factually incorrect.' However, the Delhi Police disputed this claim, and the MEA has formally asked the Russian embassy to waive diplomatic immunity for the officials to facilitate a deeper investigation. India has also sought information on Basu's whereabouts from the prosecutor general of Russia under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). A Red Corner Notice has been initiated for Basu, and the police have requested custodial questioning of the embassy officials. The Supreme Court has expressed disappointment over the lack of progress in the investigation, prompting the MEA to take further action. The case has raised diplomatic tensions between India and Russia, with both countries engaged in a high-stakes custody battle.