Russian Woman Found Living with Her Daughters in a Remote Cave in Karnataka’s Dangerous Hills

Shimla, July 13, 2025 — In a shocking incident that came to light recently, a 40-year-old Russian woman was discovered living with her two young daughters inside a remote cave in the dangerous, forested hills of Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district. Isolated from civilization, surrounded by wild animals and difficult terrain, the woman had reportedly been staying in the cave for the past 14 days, completely off the grid.

The discovery was made on July 9 when a patrolling team of the local police stumbled upon an unusual sight near the Ramteertha hills, a region known for its treacherous landscape and thick jungles. What appeared initially to be signs of minor activity in the wilderness soon turned into a jaw-dropping revelation: a foreign national and her children had been living inside a naturally formed cave, surviving on basic rations and living in near-monk-like conditions.

Identified as Nina Kutina from Russia

The woman was identified as Nina Kutina, a Russian national who had entered India on a commercial visa in 2017. Along with her were her two daughters—Prema (6 years old) and Emma (4 years old). Local authorities said they found makeshift curtains, spiritual items including a statue of Lord Shiva, and other minimal belongings inside the cave.

Despite lacking basic amenities like proper shelter, clean water, or consistent food, Kutina appeared determined to continue her ascetic lifestyle, which she described as a personal spiritual journey. Police officials confirmed that Kutina walked nearly 3 kilometers on foot to reach the nearby town, from where she would board a bus to the market to fetch food and supplies.

A Spiritual Journey or a Risk to Children’s Safety?

During questioning, Nina Kutina revealed that she had grown deeply attached to Indian spiritual traditions, Hinduism, and the idea of solitary meditation. She said she deliberately moved into the forest to disconnect from the materialistic life of cities and immerse herself in devotion and prayer.

According to her, she had previously stayed in Goa, from where she made her way to the forested area in Karnataka in search of “spiritual solitude.” She claimed that city life interfered with her meditative practices and she wanted her children to experience life closer to nature and divinity.

However, authorities expressed serious concerns over the safety and well-being of the two children. Medical personnel have been called in to examine the health conditions of the children, who were found to be undernourished but not in immediate danger.

Visa Expired Years Ago

Perhaps the most alarming detail revealed in the police investigation is that Kutina’s Indian visa expired in April 2017, raising serious legal and immigration concerns. It was found that she had also traveled to Nepal and returned to India without renewing her visa. Since then, she had been residing in various locations across India, evading authorities.

The police have now contacted the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and immigration authorities to take appropriate action. Kutina and her children have been moved out of the forest for their safety and are currently under government supervision.

Officials: Compassionate, but Law Will Prevail

While law enforcement agencies are treating the matter with compassion, particularly given the presence of minor children, they emphasize that violations of immigration laws cannot be ignored. Authorities are now working closely with the Russian Embassy in India to ensure the safety of the children and discuss further action concerning the mother’s legal status.

The incident has sparked a mix of sympathy and debate on social media platforms. While some hail Kutina’s spiritual dedication, others question the risk involved in exposing young children to potentially life-threatening living conditions.