Russian woman in custody battle seems to have left India, says Centre; ‘absolutely not acceptable’ remarks Supreme Court

Justice Kant said he and Justice Bagchi were discussing that it is the safest route to flee from India.

When the court asked if there were CCTV visuals, Bhati said, “We are still investigating. This is what we have found so far. We will investigate and continue to give reports to the court.”

Justice Kant referred to the status report submitted by the Delhi Police Commissioner and said that the woman had boarded an Air Arabia flight from Nepal. Bhati said, “We have the boarding pass, but we need to have confirmation from the airlines. We can’t place it before your Lordships till it is confirmed through proper channels.”

The bench also wondered about their passports. “How were the passports released? Does it not show active collusion and connivance of embassy officials?” asked Justice Kant.

Bhati said, “We are still investigating. The Delhi Police are using the office of the Ministry of External Affairs to do this. We will also be using the diplomatic channels for her to be brought back to face the law.”

“This is absolutely not acceptable to us at any cost. File an affidavit that you are satisfied with your information, that this is how she is involved. Then, we propose to pass an order. This is definitely a gross case of contempt. Then we will see (about) the red corner notice and you will have to activate your diplomatic channels.”

ASG Bhati pointed out that as reflected in an order of the court, the child’s passport was surrendered.

Justice Kant said, “It means duplicate passports were prepared and those were prepared by the officials of the Russian embassy… Let the Russian embassy also give in writing….”

Calling for a fresh status report, the bench said it will hear the matter after a week. The woman had initially approached the court to resolve the custody dispute, and the SC passed orders in the matter from time to time.

The parents had been living separately in Delhi on the court’s direction, with both sharing responsibility for the child. In May, the court granted the father exclusive custody for four days a week, and the mother retained custody for the remaining three days.

Earlier this month, the father returned to the Supreme Court, alleging that both the mother and the child had gone missing. He claimed that the mother had been seen entering the Russian Embassy in Delhi accompanied by a diplomat.

Following this, the Supreme Court directed authorities to locate the missing minor, hand over the child to the father, and prevent the mother from leaving India.