Who is Russian Victoria Basu, who helped her escape with her son?

Victoria Basu News: The case of mysterious disappearance of Russian citizen Victoria Basu and her minor son from India has now turned into a major international custody battle. Violation of Supreme Court order, investigation by Delhi Police, role of Russian Embassy and diplomatic tension… this story is revealing new secrets at every turn. In this case, how a woman’s personal fight became the subject of serious legal and political interference between two countries. This is shocking in itself.

Now the biggest question in this high-profile case is who is Victoria Basu? Why did he decide to flee India? And were they really helped by Russian embassy officials? However the embassy rejects these allegations. Whereas Delhi Police says that it has clear evidence. These contradictory claims make this story more complicated.

Who is Victoria Basu? From coming to India to custody case

Victoria Basu came to India for the first time in 2019. After the breakdown of the marriage, he demanded full custody of his son from the Indian courts in 2023. According to him, the purpose of coming to India was to build a secure and stable life with his son. But disputes increased in the marriage and the matter reached the court. The tension between the two sides regarding custody was continuously increasing. During this time, the Indian judiciary also became active in this matter.

Supreme Court order- shared custody and monitoring of Delhi Police

In May 2023, the Supreme Court ordered both parents to stay with the child three days a week. The court extended Victoria’s visa and directed Delhi Police to keep an eye on her house. The objective of the court was that the child should get stability and equal affection from both the parents. But within a few weeks of the order, the matter completely reversed.

Main events from court order to disappearance

Supreme Court decided joint custody.
The visa was extended and the responsibility of monitoring was given to Delhi Police.
On July 7, the husband told the court that Victoria was missing with her son.
MEA, Delhi Police and international agencies activated.

Story of escaping from India: From Nepal border to Sharjah and then to Russia

On July 7, Victoria’s husband told the Supreme Court that his wife and child were missing from home. Police investigation revealed that the mother and son were taken by car from Delhi to the Indo-Nepal border of Bihar. From where he reached Nepal and then went to Russia via Sharjah. This entire journey seems very planned. Due to this, Delhi Police called it a supported escape.

Did the Russian Embassy help? Two contrasting stories of police vs embassy

Delhi Police claims that two Russian Embassy Officers Albert Stoda and Arthur Gerbst arranged the vehicle by which Victoria left India. Police say they have clear evidence. But the Russian Embassy has clearly called it factually incorrect. They say Officer Gerbst only spoke to a taxi operator at the request of Basu’s mother, Olga Zhigalina, and did not use any government resources.

Case escalated at international level: MEA, Court and Diplomatic Immunity

This matter gained momentum when the Ministry of External Affairs of India wrote a letter to the Embassy demanding removal of diplomatic immunity of both the officers.

Important steps of investigation

Delhi Police sought answers through MEA on the role of two officers.
Supreme Court asked – Why no custodial interrogation till now?
Red Corner Notice (RCN) issued.
A formal request under MLAT was sent to the Prosecutor General of Russia.

MEA said in its affidavit that Russia claims that the officials had no role and the allegations have no legal basis. But necessary steps will continue to be taken by India to complete the investigation.

Victoria Basu’s case is no longer just a family dispute. It shows the gray zone where family matters, courts, police, international law and diplomatic relations collide with each other. The Indian court wants to ensure the safety of the child. Russia rejects the allegations against its citizens. And meanwhile a woman, a mother has crossed the border and is trapped in a new struggle.