Red Corner Notice Issued for Russian National Who Fled India With Son

Delhi Police told the Saket court on Thursday that a Red Corner notice has been issued against Russian national Viktoriia Basu. She allegedly left India with her minor son last year after the Supreme Court granted joint custody to both parents.

Investigation and Extradition

Police informed the court they are seeking her extradition through the ministry of external affairs and the Indian embassy in Moscow. An FIR was registered at the Defence Colony police station following a complaint by Saikat Basu, who married Viktoriia in 2017. Their son was born on October 29, 2020, and Viktoriia had arrived in India in 2019 before approaching the court for full custody in 2023.

Missing Child and Travel Route

After reconciliation efforts failed, the Supreme Court approved a shared-custody arrangement in May, giving each parent three days a week with the child. However, on July 7, the husband informed the court that she had gone missing with the child. Police evidence alleges two Russian embassy officials, Albert Shtoda and Arthur Gerbst, helped arrange a vehicle that took her to the India-Nepal border in Bihar, from where she travelled to Russia via Sharjah. In November last year, the Russian embassy stated it was in close contact with Indian authorities over the matter.

Context

A Red Corner Notice functions as a request to law enforcement agencies across the world to locate and provisionally arrest a person who faces pending extradition or legal action. International child custody disputes involving parents of different nationalities often require complex diplomatic coordination between foreign ministries and embassies to trace individuals across international borders.