Russian Woman and Daughters Found Living in Karnataka Cave, Face Deportation Over Visa Violation

Gokarna, Karnataka — A Russian woman and her two young daughters were found living in a remote cave near the coastal town of Gokarna, Karnataka, after local police discovered them during a routine patrol. The woman, identified as Nina Kutina — who also goes by the name "Mohi" — had reportedly been staying in the cave with her daughters Prema and Ama for nearly two weeks as part of a spiritual retreat.

Kutina had transformed the rocky shelter into a makeshift meditation space, even placing a Rudra idol inside. The family was discovered in an area surrounded by steep cliffs and known to be inhabited by snakes, prompting authorities to relocate them to safety.

Visa Overstay Raises Legal Alarm

While assisting the woman and her children, authorities uncovered a deeper issue — Kutina had overstayed her business visa, which expired in 2017. Moreover, she had re-entered India without valid documentation.

Police later found her missing passport, and immigration officials have now initiated deportation proceedings. Kutina is scheduled to appear before immigration authorities on July 14. Until then, she and her daughters remain under protective custody.

Spiritual Journey or Legal Trouble?

Though Kutina claims her stay in the cave was part of a spiritual journey, her immigration violations have placed her and her children at the center of legal action. Officials are currently assessing the situation, including the welfare of the two children and the conditions in which they were living.

The unusual discovery has drawn local attention, raising questions about tourism, overstays, and foreign nationals undertaking unregulated spiritual journeys in India.