Missing Russian woman may have got outside help: Supreme Court on custody row

UPDATED: Jul 18, 2025 16:40 IST

The Supreme Court on Friday expressed grave concern over the disappearance of a Russian woman and her child amid an ongoing custody battle with her estranged Indian husband, even suggesting the possibility of “collusion” in her disappearance.

Victoria Basu, a Russian national, and her four-and-a-half-year-old child have been missing since July 7. Hearing a petition filed by Victoria’s estranged husband Saikat Basu, the bench directed police to trace the mother and child immediately.

The top court also noted the woman may have had outside help. “There may be a possibility of a collusion... someone may have helped her on a private level,” the judges noted.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati informed the bench that a lookout circular has been issued and that the government is in contact with the Russian Embassy.

“She did not leave the country using legal channels,” Bhati said.

She also mentioned that the woman’s last known financial transaction was on July 6 and that her Canara Bank account now shows a balance of only Rs 169.

“She has frugal means... She may have gone somewhere on foot,” the ASG stated.

The bench replied, “She may not have travelled by air, but there are other means.”

It directed the police to gather information from all major railway stations and transport hubs to determine whether she was still in the National Capital Region or had left.

“They need to be found immediately,” the bench said.

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