The Supreme Court (SC) has expressed its concern regarding the complexities arising from the strong bilateral relations between India and Russia in a case involving the alleged kidnapping of a child. The case pertains to a Russian woman, Viktoriia Basu, who allegedly fled India with her child amidst a pending matrimonial dispute and custody battle in the SC with the child's Indian father.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi acknowledged the involvement of Russian embassy officials in Delhi in the child's abduction, noting that the mother allegedly escaped via Kathmandu-Sharjah to Moscow. The court stated that the strong diplomatic ties between India and Russia are "restraining it from commenting harshly on the handling of the case".

The additional solicitor general (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati presented status reports from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Delhi Police on the case. The court acknowledged having a "fair idea" of how Viktoriia Basu allegedly escaped and with whose assistance. However, the bench refrained from further comment, emphasizing that the issue now presents a diplomatic challenge for the MEA, the Indian embassy in Moscow, and the Russian embassy in Delhi. The SC has urged these entities to find a resolution and take steps to return the child to the SC's custody.

The Supreme Court has directed the MEA to make a renewed diplomatic request to Russian authorities for assistance in locating the missing woman and child. The court emphasized that Russia is legally obligated to cooperate with India in criminal investigations under the India-Russia Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, which includes "locating and identifying persons". The bench reminded Russian authorities of their bilateral obligations, highlighting that "the contracting parties shall grant each other the widest measure of mutual assistance" in criminal proceedings. The MEA has been instructed to submit a fresh request to the Russian Embassy, including the FIR and other relevant documents, while the Indian Embassy in Moscow is to actively use diplomatic channels to trace the woman and child.

The case background reveals that Viktoriia Basu, a Russian national, had been granted joint custody of her five-year-old child with her Indian-origin husband. On May 22, 2025, the Court ordered a custody arrangement where the mother would have custody for three days a week, and the father for the remaining days. However, since July 7, 2025, the mother and child have been missing. Investigations suggest that she was last seen entering the Russian Embassy in Delhi on July 4 and traveled via Nepal and the UAE before flying to Russia on July 16. An FIR has been registered against the mother for offenses including kidnapping, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. INTERPOL issued a Blue Corner Notice on August 11, 2025.

The Delhi Police faced criticism from the Supreme Court for negligence in failing to monitor the residences of both parents, despite clear Court orders. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against the concerned Station House Officer (SHO). The Supreme Court had previously expressed strong disapproval, noting that the child was "snatched away" from the court's custody. The court had also warned of "harshest of orders" if the matter was not handled with utmost seriousness.