Russian woman stayed in same cave multiple times, say Karnataka police
The 40-year-old woman, identified as Nina Kutina alias Mohi, was found in the cave on Friday during a routine patrol, following a recent landslide that led to Circle Police Inspector Sridhar and his team spotting clothes hanging outside the cave.
According to Uttara Kannada superintendent of police M Narayana, Nina told them during interrogation that she had previously stayed in the same cave at least two or three prior occasions 'seeking mental peace'.
'This is not a new place to her. She revealed that she has stayed in this cave at least two or three times earlier seeking mental peace. Both her daughters were born in India, the elder is about six-and-half-years old, the youngest is four. She did not provide any details about her husband or the children's father and refused to talk about him,' SP Narayana said.
On Friday, the officers made their way through the thick shrubs of Ramatirtha Hill and found Mohi and her two children in the cave. Inside, they found Nina using the dim light of a lamp to teach her elder daughter, while her younger child wandered the space unclothed, police said.
Officials described the area as hazardous and prone to landslides and inhabited by king cobras, leopards, and wild boars. 'It was dangerous for the children, surrounded by steep slopes and snakes. She claimed she prayed and meditated for spiritual peace there. She was politely convinced and taken away along with her children from the cave,' SP Narayana said.
Mohi arrived in India in 2016 on a business visa, which expired in 2017, and worked at a resort in Goa. Following a fallout there, she left Goa and moved between Nepal and the forests around Gokarna, according to police.
Officials later recovered her passport and visa during a search of the area. 'She had overstayed her visa, gone to Nepal, and then returned before repeatedly seeking isolation near Gokarna,' said an official.
The family is currently under the care of the women and children welfare department and temporarily housed at an ashram in Bankikodla village run by Swami Yogaratna Saraswati, an 80-year-old seer.
'They will be handed over to FRRO officers in Bengaluru for further legal action and to contact the Russian Embassy to arrange their safe return to their country,' the SP added.
Officials also confirmed that Mohi had been posting on social media about her life in the forest. Recently, she said: 'Our peaceful life in the cave has ended — our cave home destroyed, and we're now held in a place without sky, grass, or waterfall, sleeping on a cold hard floor, supposedly 'protected from rain and snakes'...We wish each of you a kind, free, and beautiful life, untouched by the narrow minds and actions of fools.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
3 hours ago
- Mint
8 killed, 5 injured as jeep falls into gorge in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh; PM Modi announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia
Pithoragarh, Jul 15 (PTI)- Eight people were killed and five injured when a jeep fell into a deep gorge here on Tuesday, police said. The incident occurred in Suni village in the Thal area while the passengers were travelling to Bokta village, they said. Expressing grief over the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹ 2 lakh ex gratia for the deceased and ₹ 50,000 for injured individuals. In a post on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister's Office stated, 'Saddened by the loss of lives due to a road accident in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.' The driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to plunge into a deep gorge. Eight people, including five women and three men, died on the spot, Thal SHO Shankar Singh Rawat said. He added that upon receiving information about the accident, police and a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team reached the site and began rescue operations with the help of local residents. The injured were rushed to a hospital in Muwani, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Madrassa student found dead in hostel room
Bareilly: A 22-year-old madrassa student was found dead inside his hostel room here on Tuesday, with police launching an investigation into what they prima facie believe is a suicide case. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deceased was identified as Mohammad Owais, a native of Bihar, who was pursuing an Aalimiyat course at the Centre of Islamic Studies Jamit-ur-Raza madrassa in the C B Ganj area, according to an official. Owais was staying in room number 87 of the hostel. When he did not come out of his room for an extended period, his fellow students, finding the door locked from inside, forced it open, only to find him lying unresponsive inside, according to the police. C B Ganj SHO Ashutosh said a police team, along with the circle officer, reached the spot after receiving the information. "The forensic team conducted a detailed inspection of the scene, collecting fingerprints and other vital evidence. The body has been sent for post-mortem," he said. Officials said the investigation is ongoing and further action will be taken after the postmortem report is received. The police said Owais' family members in Bihar have been informed and they are now on their way to Bareilly. The formal process of handing over the body and further questioning will begin once they arrive. The police said they are also questioning fellow students and madrassa staff to determine whether Owais had been under any stress in recent days. However, no clear motive or reason for suicide has emerged so far. Police officials said the incident, according to initial investigation, appears to be a case of suicide, but the exact cause will be confirmed only after the postmortem. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Investigators are also exploring the possibility of mental stress or family-related issues, the police said. Following the incident, fear and anxiety were visible on the faces of students at the madrassa and the faculty appeared deeply saddened. A teacher said, "Owais was a good student who mostly kept to himself." The police are examining all possible angles, including searching his room and mobile phone for clues. PTI
NDTV
3 hours ago
- NDTV
"Major Accomplishment": Joint Forces Recover Large Number Of Weapons In Manipur
Imphal/Guwahati/New Delhi: The security forces in a joint operation recovered 86 firearms and over 900 rounds of different types in Manipur, the police said on Tuesday. Based on intelligence inputs about hidden weapons in the state's valley areas, a joint team of the police, central paramilitary forces, army and Assam Rifles launched search operations in Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts, the police said. They recovered 86 firearms including five AK series assault rifles, three INSAS and 16 self-loading rifles (SLRs). The joint teams also found over 900 rounds of various types including 7.62 mm and 5.62 mm bullets, and high-explosive mortal shells. "These continued intelligence-led operations represent a major accomplishment for the Manipur Police and security forces in their continued mission to restore peace, uphold public order, and safeguard the lives and property of citizens," the police said in a post on X. They asked the public to cooperate with the police and security forces in promptly reporting any suspicious activity or information linked to illegal arms to the nearest police station or the central control room. PRESS NOTE Imphal, 15th July 2025 Subject: Major Recovery of Arms and Ammunition by Manipur Police and Security Forces In another significant step towards restoring peace and security in Manipur, a successful operation was conducted in the early hours of 15 July 2025 by... — Manipur Police (@manipur_police) July 15, 2025 Many insurgents in the valley and some in the hill areas have been arrested since Manipur came under the President's rule in February. The frequency of arrests has been increasing, officials said, highlighting the success of ongoing operations. Many of the insurgents, such as those from the Meitei armed group Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group) or KCP (PWG), have been arrested for extortion. These insurgents have not spared even the common people who are already in a difficult situation due to the ethnic crisis, social workers have said. The police also said they arrested 16 more insurgents and recovered 35 firearms in separate operations across the state. The state police, army and central police forces arrested 10 wanted insurgents from five districts and recovered 35 firearms including improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Six more insurgents were arrested in the last 24 hours from Bishnupur, Thoubal and Imphal West, all of them in the valley. Security Forces Face Resistance In Churachandpur There was tension from Monday evening till the early hours on Tuesday in Kuki-dominant Churachandpur district due to protests against an attempt to arrest an insurgent by the security forces, news agency PTI reported. The security forces tried to arrest the insurgent from Molhoi village on Monday evening, PTI reported. However, a huge crowd gathered there and stopped the security forces from arresting the insurgent. The mob grew in numbers and the protest intensified with tyres set on fire to block the road. Following the face-off, which lasted for some six hours, the security forces left the village at 1 am without arresting the insurgent, officials said.
