India, Aug. 26 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the Centre to invoke the mutual legal assistance treaty with the United States to ensure the return of an Indian national who violated its order on a child's custody and "surreptitiously" escaped to the US after getting an emergency travel document from the American embassy.

The Union government has been directed to file a status report on its efforts after eight weeks.

The contemnor, who is accused of defying court orders to appear in court, moved an application through his lawyer to appear virtually.

The bench firmly rejected the suggestion. "We will not allow anyone to pollute the stream of justice. This involves the dignity of the highest court. Avoidance of order of this court...