NATIONAL: “If They Live in Caves, What Are You Doing in Goa?”: Supreme Court to Russian Woman
A tale straight out of a mystery novel unfolded in India’s top court on October 6, where justices grilled an Israeli businessman over his family’s bizarre saga.
Nina Kutina, a 40-year-old Russian woman, and her two young daughters had been discovered months earlier in a remote Gokarna cave, sparking a legal tangle over custody and deportation.
The Supreme Court bench, led by Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, didn’t hold back, questioning the man’s priorities amid the women’s plight.
The Shocking Cave Discovery
It started on July 11 near Ramatirtha Hills in the Uttara Kannada district, where police on a routine patrol spotted colorful clothes near a cave entrance.
Inside, they found Nina and her daughters, aged about 5 and 6, living without basic amenities for nearly two months.
Nina, who arrived in India on a business visa in 2017, had overstayed by over eight years, her documents long lost.
The family appeared content at first, with Nina citing spiritual peace as her reason for the secluded life.
Yet, the lack of papers raised red flags, leading to their transfer to a detention center after medical checks.
A younger son from another relationship, found separately in Goa, later joined them.
Goldstein’s Claim and High Court Hurdles
Enter Dror Shlomo Goldstein, an Israeli living in Goa, who filed urgently in the Karnataka High Court claiming paternity of the girls.
He sought to block their deportation to Russia, arguing it violated child rights under UN conventions and local laws.
Goldstein had reported the children missing to Panaji police in December 2024, following Nina’s grief over her 21-year-old son’s fatal accident in India that October.
The High Court, however, sided with repatriation in late September, noting Nina’s own plea to the Russian consulate for swift return home.
Emergency travel papers were issued, valid until October 9, prioritizing the mother’s wishes and the children’s welfare.
Supreme Court’s Sharp Interrogation
Goldstein escalated to the Supreme Court, but the bench cut through the fog with pointed questions.
“What were you doing in Goa if your children were living in a cave?” Justice Surya Kant asked, his tone laced with frustration.
The court demanded proof of his fatherhood and a clear explanation for the cave existence, which Goldstein couldn’t satisfactorily provide.
Remarks flew about India turning into a “paradise” for unchecked stays, hinting at broader concerns over visa overstays and foreign enclaves like Gokarna’s spiritual retreats.
Labeling the petition as potentially publicity-driven, the justices allowed its withdrawal, closing the chapter on this odd odyssey.
Broader Echoes of the Case
This episode sheds light on Gokarna’s underbelly, where foreigners often seek solace in caves, sometimes skirting rules on visas or finances.
While Nina’s family heads back to Russia, the incident prompts reflection on balancing hospitality with accountability.
As the dust settles, it leaves a lingering question: How thin is the line between seeking peace and evading reality?