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In a startling discovery, a 40-year-old Russian woman and her two young children were found living in complete isolation inside a cave deep within the Ramatirtha Hills in Kumta taluk of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka. The family had reportedly been living there for nearly two weeks, surviving without any contact with the outside world.
Russian Woman Came to India Seeking Spiritual Peace
The woman, identified as Nina Kutina, who also goes by the name Mohi, had arrived in India years ago on a business visa, which expired in 2017. According to police officials, she travelled from Russia to Goa, and then to the sacred coastal town of Gokarna, drawn by a deep fascination with Hinduism and Indian spiritual traditions.Her children, Preya (6) and Ama (4), were with her in the forest, where they lived in a natural cave surrounded by dense woods and steep slopes. Police say Mohi had placed a Rudra idol inside the cave and spent her days performing puja and meditation.
Police Found the Family During Routine Patrol
It was during a routine police patrol on Friday, following a recent landslide alert, that officers noticed sarees and other clothes hanging to dry outside the cave.Speaking to PTI, Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police M Narayana said, “Our patrolling team spotted clothes hanging outside the cave in Ramatirtha Hill. When they went closer, they saw Mohi along with her two children inside.”
Officials Surprised by Survival in Harsh Forest Conditions
Police were surprised at how the woman and her children managed to survive in the harsh and remote environment. “It is not clear what they were eating or how long they had been there. Thankfully, nothing bad happened to them during their time in the forest,” SP Narayana added.He also confirmed that the woman most likely travelled from Goa to Gokarna before moving into the forested hills.
Visa Expired in 2017, Deportation Process Underway
Further investigation revealed that Mohi's visa had expired back in 2017, and it's still unclear how long she had been living in India illegally. Authorities have now arranged for her and her children to stay in an ashram run by a Sadhvi in the area.With help from a local NGO, the Russian Embassy has been contacted. Formalities are now underway to deport Mohi and her children to Russia. She is expected to be taken to Bengaluru soon as part of the legal process.
