The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed anguish over the failure of the High Commission of India in United Kingdom to submit a report with regard to the alleged abduction of a 10-year-old girl from India. The girl was taken to the UK by a woman who claims to have adopted her. The matter is also pending before the High Court of London.

The case pertains to the custody of Aishley Kapoor, whose biological parents Deepak and Jyoti Kapoor have moved court alleging her abduction by one Seema and her husband Surinder Kumar. Seema and Surinder, however, contend that Aishley has been given to them in adoption. The matter was decided in favour of the Kapoors by a lower court, but Seema and Surinder challenged the order in the high court. The HC first stayed the orders of the lower court but it directed Seema to appear in the court along with Aishley. Seema, however, left for the UK with Aishley without seeking prior permission of the court.

Last year, the high court ordered handing over the child to her biological parents, but Seema has remained in the UK with the child. Contempt notices have also been served to her in the case.

Advocate Anil Malhotra, amicus curiae, had told the high court that Aishley had been abducted while in the custody of a guardian appointed by the High Court of London.

On August 12, the High Commission of India in the United Kingdom was ordered to submit a report with respect to the status of the minor and the case pending before the London court, but no such report has been filed.

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