A Russian woman and her two daughters were discovered living in a cave in the forests of southern India after years of evading local authorities. The family, led by 40-year-old Nina Kutina, was found on July 9, 2023, during a routine patrol by local police at Ramatirtha Hill, a site known for its landslide risks. Reports indicate that Kutina’s travel documents expired eight years ago, raising significant concerns regarding her prolonged stay in the country.
According to M Narayana, the local police superintendent, Kutina and her daughters, aged six and four, had been residing in the cave for an extended period. The family’s precarious living situation came to light when inspectors noted the unusual presence of individuals in such a remote area. Police records reveal that Kutina originally arrived in India on a business visa in April 2017, which lapsed before she left for Nepal in September 2018, only to return to India thereafter.
In an interview with the ANI news agency, Kutina defended her choice to live in the wilderness, emphasizing that her daughters were “very happy.” She described their life as filled with activities such as swimming in waterfalls, painting, and pottery. “We have big experience to stay in nature, in jungle. We were not dying. I did not bring my daughters to die in jungle,” Kutina stated in English, seated with her children in a car.
Despite her assertions of happiness, local authorities expressed concern about the family’s wellbeing. Narayana highlighted the dangers of living in caves, especially with young children. “Going into caves is a dangerous thing, and with two children, to live there for a week or more is astonishing,” he remarked. The police have found Kutina to be somewhat reluctant to disclose comprehensive details about her family’s passports and visas.
Additionally, there are unresolved questions regarding the children’s nationality, as Kutina did not clarify whether they were born in India or Russia. Authorities have confirmed that she had a son who died in Goa but have not provided further details about this loss.
Officials are now implementing procedures to repatriate Kutina and her daughters, who currently lack valid passports. They have been moved to a nearby detention facility specifically for foreigners in India without legal status. Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, underscoring the importance of following immigration procedures.
The Russian embassy has been contacted for commentary on the family’s situation, but no official response has been issued as of now. The case has raised broader questions about the complexities of immigration and the challenges faced by individuals living outside their home countries.
