Gokarna (Karnataka), July 12, 2025 – Gokarna Forest officials discovered a 40-year-old Russian woman, Nina Kutina alias Mohi, and her two daughters, aged 6½ years (Preya) and 4 years (Ama), living in a remote cave atop Ramatirtha Hill after drifting from Goa in pursuit of spiritual solitude. During a routine patrol on July 9, Inspector Sridhar SR and his team located the family in the cave, which lies in a landslide- and snake-prone area reddit.com+11deccanchronicle.com+11ndtv.com+11.

Nina told officers she chose the cave to meditate and pray away from urban distractions. The family had lived there for nearly two weeks, setting up a rudimentary dwelling and keeping a Rudra idol . Authorities, concerned for the children’s safety, escorted them to a nearby ashram, and their expired 2017 visa triggered immediate deportation proceedings through the FRRO Bangalore.

Officials have moved the family into protective custody at a women’s reception centre in Karwar. The mother and daughters are safe medically and receiving care, while officials await formal FRRO action for their deportation.