Norway custody row: Father denies rift with wife,but govt steps back

“The government has tried its best to bring the children home so that they have a future in the country. But a new situation has developed… we cannot interfere. The visit of a Joint Secretary (to Norway) has been postponed,” Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur told reporters outside Parliament House.

She said the government would look into the situation before taking the next step. Anurup Bhattacharya,father of the two children — Abhigyan,3,and Aishwarya,1 — has reportedly filed for legal separation from his wife Sagarika. He has alleged that he was being repeatedly beaten by his wife. It is also reported that the uncle – the father’s brother – who has got custody of the child has refused to take responsibility now.

The children are in the care of Norway’s Child Welfare Services. Two MEA officials were scheduled to hear the custody hearing of the children on March 23 in Stavanger.