New Delhi: Russian national Viktoriia Basu and her minor child entered Nepal through the Birgunj land border in July 2025 — not directly Russia as previously claimed — a Delhi court has been informed.Viktoriia is at the centre of a custody battle with her estranged Indian husband, Saikat Basu. The development raises fresh questions about her alleged escape despite the Supreme Court’s shared custody order.
The revelation came in a status report filed on Feb 28 before judicial magistrate first class Seema Nirmal by the investigating officer, who flagged discrepancies in immigration records while tracing Viktoriia’s movements after she allegedly fled India last year.The court examined communications sent to authorities in Nepal and Russia seeking travel details of Basu and her child. According to police, “The Nepal authorities provided certain immigration and travel details. As per their report, Viktoriia Basu and the minor child entered Nepal on July 11, 2025, at Birgunj, and their port of arrival has been shown as Russia. However, Birgunj is a land port adjacent to the Indian border.”The IO noted that contrary to claims that the two had reached Russia directly, the investigation indicated they entered Nepal in July “with the assistance of co-accused Samir Ansari through the jungle route”.Police further informed the court that, as per the FRRO, “no travel details of Viktoriia Basu have been recorded after 2023, and none of the child since birth in 2020.” A fresh letter has been sent to Nepal seeking clarification, while Russian authorities have responded that the two are “not traceable”.Viktoriia arrived in India in 2019 after getting married to Saikat Basu. However, in 2023, following the breakdown of the relationship, she sought full custody of their child. In May 2025, SC ordered shared custody, extended her visa and directed police vigilance at her residence.However, on July 7, Saikat Basu informed the court she had disappeared with the child, triggering a search and MEA intervention. Police later alleged “clear evidence” that two Russian embassy officials facilitated her travel to the Indo-Nepal border, an allegation denied by the embassy.The court had earlier made scathing remarks against Delhi Police, observing that had authorities acted promptly on Saikat Basu’s complaints, she may not have fled Delhi.During the investigation, non-bailable warrants were obtained against Viktoriia for March 10, 2026, and forwarded to the Union home ministry for execution, though no report on their execution has been received. The IO has sought time to file a supplementary chargesheet. The matter is listed for April 25.
