A Russian national and her two minor daughters were recently found residing in a forest cave on Ramatirtha Hill, a landslide-prone area near the temple town of Gokarna. The unusual discovery was made by local police on July 9 during a patrol to monitor tourist safety in the region.

The woman, identified as Nina Kutina, aged 40, had been staying in the cave along with her daughters, Prema (6 years, 7 months) and Ama (4 years). According to police officials, the trio had been living in isolation for nearly two weeks in a dangerous and remote part of the forest, surrounded by steep terrain and the threat of wildlife, including venomous snakes.

During their routine forest patrol around 5:00 pm, Inspector Sridhar SR and his team from Gokarna Police Station noticed clothes drying near the cave entrance. Upon checking, they encountered Kutina and her children inside the natural shelter. When questioned, she told authorities that she had left Goa and come to Gokarna in search of spiritual solitude. She explained her choice to live in the cave, saying it allowed her to meditate and pray away from modern distractions.

Russian Woman and Kids Found Living in Forest Cave, Says SP Narayana

“Our patrolling team spotted saree and other clothes being hung for drying outside the cave in Ramatirtha Hill. When they went there, they spotted Mohi along with her children Preya and Ama,” said Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police M Narayana. “It was quite surprising how she and her children survived in the woods and what they ate. Thankfully, nothing untoward happened to her or the children during their time in the forest,” he added.

Although her intentions appeared spiritual, authorities were troubled by the dangerous conditions she and her children were exposed to. Given the history of landslides in the area — including a major one in July 2024 — and the presence of wild animals, the police deemed the living arrangement unsafe.

Following a counselling session, the family was escorted safely out of the forest. As requested by Kutina, she was temporarily relocated to a nearby ashram run by 80-year-old spiritual leader Swami Yogaratna Saraswati in Bankikodla village, located in Kumta taluk.

Russian Woman Withheld Visa Info, Says Documents Lost in Cave

While at the ashram, officers from the Department of Women and Child Development joined the case to ensure the children’s safety and wellbeing. However, Kutina initially declined to share her passport and visa details, expressing a desire to continue her spiritual life in India. After sustained discussions involving police, social workers, and the ashram head, she eventually admitted that her documents were likely left behind near the cave.

A coordinated search operation involving forest officials and police led to the recovery of her passport and visa. Authorities discovered that she had entered India on a business visa, which expired on April 17, 2017. An Exit Permit had been issued by the FRRO in Panaji, Goa on April 19, 2018, and she had exited the country for Nepal before re-entering India on September 8, 2018 — staying unlawfully ever since.

Due to this clear visa violation, Kutina and her two daughters have been moved to a state-run Women’s Reception Centre in Karwar, where they are being kept under protective custody.

Deportation Process for Russian Woman Underway, Confirms SP Narayana

Police have confirmed that communication has been established with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru, and official deportation proceedings have begun. “We have arranged her stay in an ashram, run by a Sadhvi. We have initiated the process to take her to Bengaluru from Gokarna and begin the deportation process,” said SP Narayana.

Kutina and her daughters are scheduled to appear before the FRRO authorities in Bengaluru on July 14 to complete further formalities. Meanwhile, officials have also reached out to the Russian Embassy through a local NGO to begin the necessary diplomatic coordination.

While the case has drawn public attention due to its unusual nature, authorities remain focused on ensuring the safety of the children and resolving the immigration issue according to law.