The Supreme Court on Monday granted the Centre four weeks’ time to trace a Russian woman who fled India with her minor child in the midst of a high-stakes custody battle with her estranged Indian husband.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Dipankar Datta and Joymalya Bagchi, took note of the Centre’s ongoing efforts and the update provided by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who said that Interpol notices had already been issued and that authorities were working to locate and bring the woman and child back to India.
“I am having some updates… Please grant us a few more weeks, and we will file an updated report,” Bhati submitted, assuring the court that diplomatic channels, including the Indian Embassy in Moscow, were actively involved. “Russia is an all-weather friend,” she added.
The court agreed to the request and gave the Centre a four-week deadline to submit a progress report. It also reiterated its earlier direction from November 28, 2025, asking the Centre to work closely with Indian diplomats in Moscow and seek assistance from the Investigating Committee of the Russian Federation to trace the mother and child. The bench had earlier emphasised the importance of obtaining a report on the child’s well-being.
Ongoing Diplomatic Tightrope
The top court acknowledged the complexity of the situation, pointing out the delicate nature of India-Russia relations. “We don’t want to pass any order which may hurt the relationship between India and Russia, but it is also a matter where a child is involved,” the bench remarked. “We can only hope the child is well and healthy as he is with the mother. Hope it is not the case of human trafficking.”
The woman, who had been residing in India since 2019 on an X-1 visa, had continued her stay with periodic extensions granted by the court. However, in July 2025, she allegedly fled the country with the child, reportedly via the Nepal border and onward through Sharjah to Russia, in violation of court directions.
On May 22, 2025, the Supreme Court had issued a split custody arrangement: the mother was granted exclusive custody of the child for three days a week (Monday to Wednesday), and the father for the remaining four days. But things took a dramatic turn when the woman disappeared with the child in July 2025.
Following her disappearance, the apex court had expressed serious displeasure, calling the act “gross contempt of court” and described the situation as “unacceptable.” It had ordered the Delhi Police to immediately trace the woman and child and directed the Centre to issue a look-out circular.
The child’s father has claimed he has had no knowledge of their whereabouts since then and has accused his estranged wife of violating court orders.
The matter is expected to come up again after four weeks, when the Centre will submit its updated report on the diplomatic and legal efforts to locate the missing woman and child.
