Russian Woman and Children Found Living in Indian Forest Cave

Indian police have found a Russian woman, Nina Kutina, and her two daughters living in a cave in Karnataka state. Kutina, 40, overstayed her visa and was taken to a detention facility. She reportedly meditated by candlelight and told police she was interested in staying in the forest and worshiping God. The family has been living in the cave for over a week.

NEW DELHI — Indian police have discovered a Russian woman, Nina Kutina, and her two daughters living in isolation in a remote forest cave in Karnataka state. The family was found during a routine patrol to Ramatirtha Hill, a popular tourist site on the coast of Karnataka, on July 9. Police officer Sridhar S.R. stated that the family had been residing in the cave for more than a week [1].

Kutina, 40, and her daughters, aged six and four, were taken into custody by police and moved to a nearby detention facility for foreigners living illegally in India. The police are taking steps to repatriate Kutina to Russia for overstaying her visa. She has been accused of spending her time in the cave meditating by candlelight and expressing an interest in staying in the forest to worship God [1].

The police found pictures of Hindu deities on the inside walls of the cave where Kutina had been living. She was also seen in front of makeshift curtains made of red saris that covered the entrance to the cave. The Russian Embassy in New Delhi has not yet responded to requests for comment [1].

Kutina has stated that she worked as a tutor of Russian language in Goa, a coastal tourist state in southern India. She has expressed that her love for adventure led her to live in the cave. The family has been living in the cave for over a week, with Kutina claiming that life in the forest was more peaceful and dignified than the current conditions they are facing in a shelter [3].

The police have reported that Kutina sent a message to her friends after being found, stating that their peaceful life in the cave had ended. She has declined to comment on the situation when contacted by the Associated Press [1].

Kutina has also criticized the media portrayal of her life, stating that everything shown on TV about them is false. She has expressed dissatisfaction with the shelter she and her daughters are currently in, claiming it is dirty, lacks privacy, and they receive only plain rice to eat. She has also mentioned that many of their belongings, including the ashes of her son who passed away nine months ago, were taken [3].

The family has been in contact with the Russian Embassy, which is assisting them. Kutina has stated that she has travelled to about 20 countries over the last 15 years and has a background in teaching art and Russian literature. She plans to homeschool her children officially. Her income comes from making art, producing music videos, and part-time work like teaching or babysitting [3].

References:
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/indian-police-find-russian-woman-2-daughters-living-123794259
[2] https://apnews.com/article/india-russian-woman-cave-4ed3fe116ffadd79a44eb2c11429dbb5
[3] https://m.economictimes.com/news/new-updates/russian-woman-rescued-with-2-kids-from-karnataka-forest-says-cave-life-was-better-than-current-dirty-shelter-in-city/articleshow/122560637.cms