Gokarna (Karnataka), July 12 — In a surprising incident, a 40-year-old Russian woman was found living in a forest cave in Karnataka’s Gokarna with her two young daughters. The woman, identified as Nina Kutina, also known locally as Mohi, told authorities she had come from Goa seeking spiritual solitude and a place to meditate and pray.

The discovery was made by Gokarna police during a routine patrol on Ramatirtha Hill. Officers noticed clothes drying near a cave and found the woman and her daughters, aged six and four, living inside. Kutina had set up a small idol and had been residing in the cave for nearly two weeks.

Police expressed serious concerns for the safety of the woman and her children. The forest area where they were found is known for landslides and the presence of dangerous wildlife, including snakes. Living conditions in the cave lacked basic necessities such as clean water, proper shelter, and medical support.

When approached by the authorities, Kutina calmly explained that she had chosen the cave to disconnect from the outside world and focus on spiritual practice. At her request, she was taken to an ashram in Bankikodla village in Kumta taluk, which is run by Swami Yogaratna Saraswati.

However, when police checked her travel documents, they found that Kutina had overstayed her visa. She had entered India on a business visa, which expired in April 2017. While records showed a brief trip to Nepal in 2018, she re-entered India without valid documents and has been living in the country illegally for over seven years.

Due to the visa violation, authorities placed Kutina and her daughters under protective custody. They are currently staying at the Women’s Reception Centre in Karwar, which is operated by the Karnataka Department of Women and Child Development. The police have contacted the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru to begin the deportation process.

The case has drawn mixed reactions from locals and officials. Some expressed sympathy for Kutina’s spiritual journey, but many raised concerns over the safety and wellbeing of her children. Experts have pointed out that raising young children in such isolated and unsafe conditions could have serious health and psychological impacts.

Despite her peaceful intentions, Kutina now faces legal consequences. The Russian embassy has been informed, and local authorities are working to ensure the children receive proper care during the ongoing legal process.

The case highlights the need for foreign nationals to follow immigration laws, even when their reasons for travel are spiritual or personal. It also emphasizes the responsibility of ensuring children’s welfare in all circumstances.

As deportation proceedings move forward, child welfare officials are monitoring the health and safety of the two girls. The next steps will depend on coordination between the FRRO and the Russian consulate, with the goal of resolving the situation while respecting both legal norms and humanitarian concerns.