Gokarna Russian Woman Case: Israeli Father Seeks Shared Custody of Daughters

In a case that has sparked both local and international interest, Dror Goldstein, an Israeli citizen, has expressed his wish to share custody of his two daughters with Nina Kutina, a Russian woman who was recently discovered living in a cave in Gokarna, Karnataka, with the children.

Goldstein Seeks Shared Custody

Speaking to news agency PTI, Dror Goldstein said, "My wish is to be close to my two daughters. I demand shared custody. I want to be able to meet them, to be close to them and to be a father. That's all."

The Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) has reportedly contacted Goldstein about the situation. Authorities are currently working through the legal process, and the deportation of Nina Kutina and her daughters to Russia may take up to a month.

Family Background

Nina Kutina and Dror Goldstein reportedly met several years ago and fell in love. The couple has two daughters: Preya (6) and Ama (4). Reports indicate that one of the daughters was even born while Nina was residing in a cave in Goa.

Over the years, Nina has lived in forests and nature-based settings in more than 20 countries, advocating for a self-sustained and natural lifestyle.

Life in the Cave

On July 11, police conducting a routine inspection in Gokarna discovered Nina and her two daughters living in a concealed cave. Following their rescue, Nina has stated that life outside the cave has been more uncomfortable for her and her children compared to the peaceful existence they once had.

"My children were all born in different places. I delivered all of them myself, without hospitals or doctors, because I know how to do it. No one helped me, I did it alone," Nina told PTI.

Nina originally came to India years ago with two sons and a daughter. Tragically, her eldest son passed away at age 21, and the whereabouts of her other son remain unknown.

Although her business visa expired in 2017, she continued to live in India due to what she described as "several complicated reasons." These included personal tragedies, difficulties in managing legal paperwork, and an ongoing struggle with grief.

Authorities Monitoring the Case

The Karnataka FRRO is currently reviewing her visa status and the legal implications of her stay. Officials have confirmed that the process of deportation will adhere to diplomatic norms and will take several weeks to complete.

In the meantime, Dror Goldstein's plea for shared custody adds another layer of legal complexity. His request is likely to be evaluated through proper judicial channels, especially considering the international custody angle involving India, Israel, and Russia.