Police in Karnataka, India, are investigating the peculiar case of Nina Kutina, a 40-year-old Russian woman, who was found living in a cave with her two daughters, aged six and five. They were rescued on July 9 during a routine patrol near the Ramteertha hills in Gokarna, an area favored by tourists, particularly Westerners. Kutina and her children are currently detained in a foreigner detention center in Bengaluru due to their lack of valid documentation for residing in India.
Kutina has expressed satisfaction with their life in the cave through multiple video interviews with Indian news outlets, where she claimed that living close to nature contributes positively to health. Despite her contentment, many questions remain unanswered regarding their circumstances, the duration of their stay in the cave, and their journey to reaching this secluded life.
The area is notorious for its wild animal populations, prompting local police to initiate forest patrols for tourist safety. Officers stumbled upon the cave after seeing brightly colored clothes hanging outside. As they approached, a young girl with blonde hair ran out, leading them to Kutina and her daughters, who were living in modest conditions with minimal possessions including instant noodles and clothes.
Authorities confirmed Kutina's Russian nationality and have initiated contact with the Russian consulate to facilitate her repatriation. According to Kutina, she has traveled extensively over the past 15 years and has four children in total. She described a tragic incident where her eldest son died in a road accident in Goa last year. Reports identified the father of her daughters, Israeli businessman Dror Goldstein, who has expressed a desire for joint custody and opposition to their deportation.
While Kutina claims they had only been living in the cave for about a week, local police have unearthed details of her previous stays in Goa and elsewhere, as well as issues with her visa status. She disclosed that their immersion in nature allowed for a fulfilling life and denied narratives suggesting spiritual motives behind their cave dwelling.
Concerned about her sudden detention, Kutina characterized life in the detention center as unsatisfactory compared to their prior cave existence, stating that basic needs are not adequately met. Kutina’s case raises significant inquiries about her life choices, the well-being of her children, and the intricate connection between their identities and the challenges of living off the grid in a foreign land.
