NATIONAL: Russian Mother and Child Missing in India: Rs. 160 and a Mystery
Supreme Court Intensifies Search
The Supreme Court of India has escalated efforts to locate a Russian woman and her child, embroiled in a contentious custody dispute with her estranged Indian husband. On July 18, 2025, the court reiterated its directive for a nationwide search, issuing lookout notices to prevent their departure from India.
Delhi Police: No Legal Exit Detected
Delhi Police informed the court that the woman has not left India through legal channels, based on checks at international airports and ports. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati noted that hue and cry notices have been circulated to all police stations, with ongoing efforts to trace her domestic movements.
Financial Strain Raises Concerns
The woman’s precarious financial situation, with only Rs. 160 in her bank account and a recent withdrawal of Rs. 250, has alarmed the court. Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi questioned how she is sustaining herself and her child, noting the absence of financial support from her husband or court-ordered aid.
Russian Embassy’s Role Under Scrutiny
Allegations of Russian Embassy involvement have surfaced, with claims that the woman was seen entering the embassy’s back gate with a diplomat on July 4. The court has ordered the Ministry of External Affairs to investigate any embassy assistance, including the possibility of her using a different passport.
Embassy Cooperation Confirmed
The Russian Embassy is reportedly cooperating, stating the woman visited its consular section on July 5 for an hour. On July 10, her mother in Russia contacted the embassy, reporting her daughter as untraceable, prompting further coordination with Indian authorities.
Custody Battle Fuels Tensions
The Indian father alleges the woman violated court orders granting him partial custody, with the child missing since July 7. The Supreme Court has ordered her passport seized and directed immigration authorities to monitor all exit points, emphasizing urgency in locating the child.
Nationwide Search Expands
The court has expanded the search to include railway stations and entry/exit points in the National Capital Region. Authorities are analyzing her call data records and social media to pinpoint her whereabouts, amid fears she may be evading detection domestically.