In a remarkable and widely discussed incident, a 40-year-old Russian woman named Nina Kutina, along with her two young daughters, Prema (aged 6 years and 7 months) and Ama (aged 4 years), was discovered living in a secluded cave in the Ramatirtha Hills of Gokarna, located in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district. The discovery, made on July 9, 2025, by Gokarna police during a routine patrol, has drawn significant attention due to the family’s unconventional lifestyle, their expired visa status, and the ensuing legal and personal complexities. This account, based on multiple reports, provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, delving into the circumstances of their discovery, Kutina’s motivations, the legal ramifications, and the ongoing custody dispute involving her ex-husband.
Discovery in the Gokarna Cave
The incident came to light around 5:00 PM on July 9, 2025, when Inspector Sridhar SR and his team from Gokarna Police Station were patrolling the Ramatirtha Hill area, a region known for its scenic beauty but also its dangers, including landslide-prone zones and venomous snakes. The patrol was part of routine safety checks to ensure the well-being of tourists in the area, which borders the popular tourist destination of Goa. During their sweep of the dense forest, the officers noticed movement near a cave. A young blonde girl, later identified as one of Kutina’s daughters, emerged from the cave, which was partially concealed by brightly colored saris. Upon entering, the police found Nina Kutina and her second daughter inside what had been transformed into a makeshift dwelling.
The cave, described as a natural sanctuary, was equipped with basic necessities. Kutina had created a small living space where she prepared simple meals like roti and vegetable curries for her family. She had also placed a Rudra idol in the cave, indicating her engagement with Hindu spiritual practices. Reports suggest she had been living in the cave for at least two weeks, though some sources claim she had intermittently used it as a retreat over a longer period.
Nina Kutina’s Background and Lifestyle
Nina Kutina, who sometimes used the alias Mohi, first arrived in India in 2016 on a business visa, reportedly drawn to the country’s spiritual and cultural richness. After spending time in Goa, a hub for global tourists and spiritual seekers, she moved to Gokarna, a coastal town known for its religious significance and tranquil environment. Kutina’s visa expired in April 2017, but she chose to remain in India, living in near-complete isolation in Karnataka’s coastal forests to avoid detection. She briefly left for Nepal in 2018 but returned to India, continuing her reclusive lifestyle.
Kutina described her lifestyle as a deliberate choice to live close to nature, emphasizing health, meditation, and simplicity. In an interview with ANI, she stated, “We have a lot of experience staying in nature, and we were not dying. I did not bring my children to die in the jungle.” She explained that she and her daughters were healthy, with her children never having been sick or requiring hospital visits until their discovery. Kutina taught her daughters literacy and art, using oral traditions, and maintained a Telegram channel to document their life, sharing photos and videos of their activities, such as painting and yoga. She denied claims of neglect, asserting that her daughters were happy and well-fed, and described the cave as a safe place, noting its proximity to a village and minimal encounters with dangerous wildlife.
Kutina’s affinity for nature extended to her interactions with the environment. She referred to snakes as “friends” and expressed that she feared people more than animals. Her days were spent meditating, performing puja, and drawing, reflecting her deep connection to Hindu spiritualism and her desire for mental calm. However, local authorities deemed the cave unsafe due to its landslide risks and the presence of venomous snakes, highlighting a contrast between Kutina’s perception and official assessments.
Legal Ramifications and Deportation Process
The discovery revealed that Kutina had overstayed her visa, which expired in 2017, leading to her and her daughters being taken into custody. Initially, Kutina claimed her passport and visa documents were lost in the forest, but a joint search by the Gokarna Police and Forest Department recovered them near the cave. The family was temporarily moved to an ashram run by a Sadhvi before being sent to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru for processing. They were later transferred to a rescue center in Tumakuru. Authorities have initiated deportation proceedings, contacting the Russian Embassy to facilitate their return to Russia.
The deportation process is complex and potentially costly. According to lawyer Sahana Basavapatna, neither the Indian government nor the migrant’s home country typically covers travel expenses in such cases, leaving uncertainty about who will bear the cost. Additionally, while Kutina’s daughters were likely born in India, they are not eligible for Indian citizenship under current laws, which require both parents to be Indian citizens or one parent to be Indian and the other not an illegal immigrant.
Custody Dispute with Ex-Husband
The case has been further complicated by a custody dispute involving Kutina’s ex-husband, Dror Goldstein, a 38-year-old Israeli businessman who spends part of the year in Goa. Goldstein, who met Kutina in Goa eight years ago, told PTI that he had been living separately from her for the past couple of years. He lost contact with her and their daughters when she left Goa without informing him a few months prior to the discovery. After filing a missing persons report, Goldstein learned of their situation in Gokarna and is now seeking shared custody of Prema and Ama. He expressed concern about losing access to his daughters if they are deported to Russia, particularly noting that Ama, born in India, may be an Indian citizen.
The FRRO has contacted Goldstein, who is currently in India on a business visa, to discuss the repatriation process. He has been asked to consider covering the costs of Kutina and their daughters’ return to Russia, though no final resolution has been reported.
Kutina’s Claims and Current Conditions
Kutina has voiced distress about her current situation, describing the detention facility in Bengaluru as uncomfortable, dirty, and lacking privacy. She claimed that their belongings, including the ashes of her son who passed away nine months ago, were taken by authorities, a statement that has raised further questions but lacks detailed clarification in available reports. Kutina contrasted the “cleaner, beautiful shelter” of the cave with the conditions at the facility, where she said they were given only plain rice to eat.
Public and Media Reaction
The story has garnered significant attention on platforms like X, where posts have highlighted the unusual nature of Kutina’s lifestyle and the legal complexities of her case. Some users expressed shock at the family’s ability to live in such isolation, while others focused on the visa violation and deportation process. Media outlets, including The Hindu, NDTV, and the BBC, have covered the story extensively, emphasizing both the human interest angle and the legal implications.
Last Updated on: Thursday, July 17, 2025 5:00 pm by Ventrapati Mahitha | Published by: Ventrapati Mahitha on Thursday, July 17, 2025 5:00 pm | News Categories: News
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