Gokarna: Police in India are working to unravel the story of a Russian woman, Nina Kutina, who was discovered residing in a cave in Karnataka’s Gokarna forest with her two young daughters. The family was found by police officers on a routine patrol in the Ramteertha hills, an area known for its tourist appeal but also for its treacherous natural environment.
According to BBC, Kutina, aged 40, and her daughters, aged six and five, lack the necessary documents to remain in India. They have been placed in a detention center for foreigners near Bengaluru and are facing imminent deportation. The family was discovered living in precarious conditions, with minimal possessions and a cave shelter that was prone to leaks.
The police initiated the patrols in the area to ensure tourist safety due to the presence of snakes and the risk of landslides during the rainy season. Superintendent of Police M Narayana emphasized the dangers of the living conditions Kutina and her children were found in, but noted that it took significant effort to convince her of the risks.
Kutina, who has been living outside Russia for 15 years, claims to have traveled extensively across multiple countries. She has four children in total, with the eldest having died in Goa, and an 11-year-old son currently residing in Russia. Indian authorities have reached out to the Russian consulate in Chennai regarding her situation and have contacted the father of the girls, Dror Goldstein, an Israeli businessman currently in India.
Goldstein reported Kutina missing in Goa and has expressed his intention to seek joint custody of his daughters. He opposes their deportation to Russia and is engaged in discussions with authorities regarding their repatriation.
The timeline and circumstances of Kutina’s arrival in the Gokarna forest remain unclear. She claims to have lived in the cave for a week and previously resided in a cave in Goa, where she states one of her daughters was born. Her expired passport indicates a business visa valid from October 2016 to April 2017, but her current visa situation has lapsed due to personal reasons.
Kutina has rejected claims that her cave dwelling was for spiritual purposes, asserting instead that her lifestyle choice was driven by a love for nature and its health benefits. She insists that her daughters were content and well-cared for during their time in the forest.