Red Corner Notice Issued Against Russian Woman Accused of Fleeing India With Son
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Delhi Police has secured a Red Corner Notice against Russian national Viktoriia Basu, who allegedly left India with her minor son in 2025 despite a Supreme Court-approved joint custody arrangement.
Police told the Saket District Court on Thursday that they had sought her extradition through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian embassy in Moscow.
A Red Corner Notice asks law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or similar legal action. Each country decides whether to make an arrest under its own laws.
What Is the Case About?
An FIR was registered at Delhi's Defence Colony police station in 2025 following a complaint by Saikat Basu, who married Viktoriia in 2017. Their son was born on October 29, 2020.
Viktoriia, who came to India in 2019, approached the court in 2023 seeking full custody of her son after the marriage broke down.
After attempts to reconcile the couple failed, the Supreme Court approved a shared-custody arrangement in May, allowing each parent to spend three days a week with the child. The court also extended Viktoriia's visa and directed Delhi Police to keep her residence under watch.
On July 7 that year, however, Saikat informed the court that his wife had gone missing with their son. The development prompted a search by law enforcement agencies and intervention by the MEA.
The case is pending before the Saket District Court. On Thursday, Delhi Police submitted a status report to Judicial Magistrate First Class Deepakshi Rana, seeking more time to complete the investigation.
Police said a formal extradition request had been sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for action through the MEA and the Indian embassy in Moscow. The request seeks to trace Viktoriia, the main accused in the FIR.
Investigators are also examining documents submitted by the complainant to determine the further action required.
What the Russian Embassy Said
In November last year, the Russian embassy said it was in close contact with Indian authorities over the case.
The embassy said it was committed to protecting the rights and legitimate interests of Russian citizens in accordance with Indian law. It added that it maintained contact with the relevant Indian authorities regarding Viktoriia.
Delhi Police had also submitted evidence alleging that two Russian embassy officials, Albert Shtoda and Arthur Gerbst, helped arrange a vehicle for Viktoriia on July 7, when she allegedly went missing with her son.
The vehicle reportedly took her to the India-Nepal border in Bihar. She then travelled to Russia via Sharjah.
