In a startling discovery, a 40-year-old Russian woman was found living inside a cave with her two young daughters in the dense forests of Gokarna, Karnataka.
The woman, identified as Mohi, along with her daughters Priya (6) and Ama (4), was discovered on July 9 during a routine police patrol in the Ramteertha forest area, which had been recently affected by a minor landslide. Police noticed movement inside a cave and, upon inspection, found the family residing there.
Mohi reportedly arrived in India via Goa years ago and settled in Gokarna to live in seclusion for meditation. A small idol of Lord Rudra was also recovered from the cave, where she performed daily prayers. According to officials, she had been living amidst dangerous terrain, exposed to wild animals, snakes, and landslides, refusing to leave despite police requests.
Eventually, she agreed to move to an Ashram in Kumta after a prolonged persuasion. When police checked her documents, they discovered that her passport was misplaced, but later found it — revealing that her visa had expired back in 2017. After her visa expiry, she reportedly entered Nepal, and then re-entered India illegally via Goa before settling in Gokarna.
The matter has been escalated to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Bengaluru. Arrangements are underway to deport her and her children back to Russia. Meanwhile, child welfare officials are ensuring the safety and well-being of the children during the legal proceedings.
Authorities are continuing to investigate how she managed to evade immigration checks and survive in the forest for years with two young children.
