A Russian woman, Nina Kutina, aged 40, along with her two young daughters, aged six and five, have returned to Russia. The family had been discovered by chance on July 9th by police on a routine patrol in the Gokarna forest in India’s southern Karnataka state. They were found living in a cave, which had been curtained off with colorful saris, and possessed only basic necessities like plastic mats, clothes, and instant noodles. The cave itself was reported to be leaking and susceptible to dangers from snakes and wild animals, prompting concern from the authorities.
Ms. Kutina, who lacked valid documentation to remain in India, and her daughters were subsequently placed in a foreigners’ detention centre. The Karnataka High Court recently ordered the federal government to issue the necessary travel documents for their return home. Last week, the family departed for Russia.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, an Israeli businessman living in Goa, Dror Shlomo Goldstein, claimed to be the father of the two girls. He had petitioned the court to prevent the children’s deportation and sought custody. However, the court noted that Mr. Goldstein could not adequately explain why the mother and children were found living in such isolated conditions.
According to officials, Ms. Kutina’s son from a previous relationship, who was located in Goa, also accompanied them on their journey back to Russia.
Ms. Kutina had previously defended her unconventional lifestyle, telling reporters that she and her children were content and that they thrived in nature. However, authorities expressed concerns about their safety, particularly given the monsoon season’s risk of landslides and the presence of wildlife in the area.