The Karnataka High Court has intervened to temporarily halt the deportation of two young Russian children who were recently found living in a cave with their mother. Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav, citing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), emphasized that the children's best interests must be the primary consideration in the case.
According to PTI, the decision came during the hearing of a writ petition challenging a sudden deportation order issued against the children, aged six and four.
The court was informed by the assistant solicitor general that the children currently lack valid travel or identity documents, a key factor in the court's observation that immediate deportation was not reasonable at this stage.
Advocate Beena Pillai, representing the petitioner, argued that the deportation process disregarded the children's welfare and violated the principles of the UNCRC.
The High Court has ordered a detailed review of the matter, directing the government to submit a written affidavit confirming the children's lack of valid documents and to file their objections within two weeks.
PTI reported that the court issued a clear directive that no deportation can be executed without its prior notification, effectively pausing any removal efforts until the next hearing scheduled for August 18.
The case involves Nina Kutina, 40, and her two daughters, who were rescued by police on July 11 from a remote cave in the Ramatirtha hills near Gokarna, a sacred coastal town in Uttara Kannada district.
Kutina, who also goes by the name Mohi, had reportedly traveled to India from Russia on a business visa and was drawn to the area by her deep interest in Hinduism and Indian spirituality.
Police stated her visa had expired, and the family had been living in seclusion. Following their rescue, all three were found to be in good health. Kutina has defended her lifestyle, stating her children were happy and well-cared for, and has disputed claims about the timeline of her expired visa.
