A Russian woman who made global headlines after being found living in a cave in India with her two young daughters has flown back to her country, an official told the BBC.
Nina Kutina, 40, and her daughters - aged six and five - were rescued on 9 July by policemen on a routine patrol in a forest in the southern state of Karnataka.
The woman, who did not have valid documents to stay in India, had been sent to a foreigners' detention centre along with her daughters.
Last week, the Karnataka high court asked the federal government to issue documents to Ms Kutina and her daughters to return home.
They left for Russia on 28 September, an official at the Foreigners' Regional Registration Office (FRRO), who wanted to stay anonymous, told BBC Hindi. Ms Kutina's minor son from another relationship, who was later found living in Goa state, also went with them.
The high court had been hearing a petition filed by Dror Shlomo Goldstein, an Israeli businessman living in Goa, who claimed to be the father of the two daughters. He asked the court to stop the children from being sent back to Russia and appealed for their custody.
Mr Goldstein has yet to comment on the court order. He retains the right to appeal, but it's uncertain whether such an outcome would lead to the children's return to India.
Mr Goldstein stated earlier that Ms Kutina left Goa without notifying him and mentioned he had filed a police complaint regarding the matter. He also claimed to have been providing for their well-being.
In court, the judge noted, despite Mr Goldstein's claims, the family had been rather inexplicably found living in a cave.
The police who discovered the trio shared that they were on a routine patrol near Ramteertha hills in Gokarna when they spotted colorful clothes hanging near a cave. Upon investigation, they found a cave curtained with saris.
Ms Kutina defended their living situation, expressing that she and her children were happy and felt nature provided good health. However, the police insisted on their moving due to potential dangers from local wildlife.
After medical examinations, the family was transferred to a detention center until their departure was arranged.
The case raised significant legal discussions around child welfare, custody rights, and international deportation protocols, especially with regards to Ms Kutina's request to return to Russia facilitated by her communication with the Russian embassy.
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